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1. Prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
   "she was sick with yearning";
   - longing, hungriness

1. Desire strongly or persistently
   - hanker, long, pant [informal]
    
2. Have a desire for something or someone who is not present
   "She yearned for a cigarette";
   - ache, yen, pine, languish
    
3. Have affection for; feel tenderness for

Derived forms: yearnings

Type of: care for, cherish, desire, hold dear, treasure, want

Encyclopedia: Yearning