Definition of "appetite"

And I return with an excellent appetite. There can be no question, my dear Watson, of the value of exercise before breakfast.

1904, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of Black Peter

The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite. There is something humiliating about it.

1922, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest

Though the breweries were forced to shut down, the dry spell did little more than whet the public's appetite for beer: Records show that within the first 24 hours after Congress lifted the ban [Prohibition] in 1933, Americans guzzled 1 million barrels of the stuff.

1985, Susan Mullane, “Going for some gusto in the kitchen”, in National Fisherman‎, page 78

Biotics possess extraordinary abilities, but they must live with minor inconveniences. The most obvious issue is getting adequate nutrition. Creating biotic mass effects takes such a toll on metabolism that active biotics develop ravenous appetites. The standard Alliance combat ration for a soldier is 3000 calories per day; biotics are given 4500, as well as a canteen of potent energy drink for quick refreshment after hard combat.

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Biotics: Life as a Biotic Codex entry

If God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.

1678, Antiquitates Christianæ: Or, the History of the Life and Death of the Holy Jesus: […], London: […] E. Flesher, and R. Norton, for R[ichard] Royston, […]

To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvellous.

1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter 9, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volumes (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans

The object of appetite is whatsoever sensible good may be wished for; the object of will is that good which reason does lead us to seek.

1594–1597, Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Will[iam] Stansby [for Matthew Lownes], published 1611, (please specify the page)