Thirst
Thirst is the craving for fluids, resulting in the basic instinct of animals to drink. It is an essential mechanism involved in fluid balance. It arises from a lack of fluids and/or an increase in the concentration of certain osmolites, such as salt. If the water volume of the body falls below a certain threshold or the osmolite concentration becomes too high, the brain signals thirst.
Read more about Thirst.
Famous quotes containing the word thirst:
“While yet it is cold January, and snow and ice are thick and solid, the prudent landlord comes from the village to get ice to cool his summer drink; impressively, even pathetically, wise, to foresee the heat and thirst of July now in January,—wearing a thick coat and mittens! when so many things are not provided for. It may be that he lays up no treasures in this world which will cool his summer drink in the next.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“It is terrible to die of thirst on the ocean. Do you have to salt your truth so heavily that it no longer—quenches thirst?”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
—Bible: New Testament Matthew 5:6.