enthusiasm

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English [edit]

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Etymology [edit]

First attested from 1603, from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmos), from ἔνθεος (entheos, possessed by a god), from ἐν (en, in) + θεός (theos, god).

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /ɛnˈθjuːzɪæzəm/
  • (US) IPA: /ɛnˈθuːziæzəm/
  • (file)

Noun [edit]

enthusiasm (plural enthusiasms)

  1. (obsolete or historical) Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
    • 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, ch. 1
      The intoxication that they sought was that of ‘enthusiasm’, of union with the god.
  2. Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]