Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Anxious \Anx"ious\ ([a^][ng]k"sh[u^]s), a. [L. anxius, fr.
   angere to cause pain, choke; akin to Gr. 'a`gchein to choke.
   See {Anger}.]
   1. Full of anxiety or disquietude; greatly concerned or
      solicitous, esp. respecting something future or unknown;
      being in painful suspense; -- applied to persons; as,
      anxious for the issue of a battle.

   2. Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying; --
      applied to things; as, anxious labor.

            The sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far
            off all anxious cares.                --Milton.

   3. Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please.

            He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve
            and at those who are eager for reform. --Macaulay.

   Note: Anxious is followed by for, about, concerning, etc.,
         before the object of solicitude.

   Syn: Solicitous; careful; uneasy; unquiet; restless;
        concerned; disturbed; watchful.

Source : WordNet®

anxious
     adj 1: mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger etc;
            worried; "anxious parents"; "anxious about her job";
            "not used to a city and anxious about small things";
            "felt apprehensive about the consequences" [syn: {apprehensive}]
     2: eagerly desirous; "anxious to see the new show at the
        museum"; "dying to hear who won" [syn: {anxious(p)}, {dying(p)}]
     3: causing or fraught with or showing anxiety; "spent an
        anxious night waiting for the test results"; "cast anxious
        glances behind her"; "those nervous moments before
        takeoff"; "an unquiet mind" [syn: {nervous}, {uneasy}, {unquiet}]