επιθυμία

Etymology: From ancient Greek ἐπιθυμία (epithymia), composed of ἐπί (epi, 'upon, over') + θυμός (thymos, 'spirit, soul, passion'). The word literally means 'that which is upon the spirit' or 'what lies over the soul.' This connects to English words like 'epitome' (epi + tome) and relates to the concept of thymus gland (named for its location near the heart, seat of emotions). The root thymos appears in English 'thyme' (the herb was thought to give courage) and gives επιθυμία its emotional intensity beyond simple wanting.