Desideratives express desire. Such verbs end in -σειω, -ιαω, and rarely in -αω. Thus, πολεμησείω desire to wage war (πολεμέω), ἀπαλλαξείω wish to get rid of (ἀλλάττω exchange), γελασείω wish to laugh (γελάω); στρατηγιάω wish to be general (στρατηγός); φονάω wish to shed blood (φόνος murder).
a. Verbs in -ιαω and -αω are formed from substantives. Those in -σειω may come from the future stem.
b. -ιαω and -αω may denote a bodily affection: ὀφθαλμιάω suffer from ophthalmia (ὀφθαλμίᾱ), βραγχάω am hoarse (βραγχός hoarse). Some verbs in -ωττω (-ωσσω) have a similar meaning: τυφλώττω am blind (τυφλός), and even λῑμώσσω am hungry (λῑμός hunger).