zealous

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English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Ancient Greek ζήλος (zēlos, zeal, jealousy), from ζηλόω (zēloō, to emulate, to be jealous).

Pronunciation [edit]

Adjective [edit]

zealous (comparative more zealous, superlative most zealous)

  1. Full of zeal; ardent, fervent; exhibiting enthusiasm or strong passion.
    • 1831, James Boswell, The life of Samuel Johnson, new ed. by John Wilson Croker, volume 1, page 238
      Johnson was truly zealous for the success of "The Adventurer;" and very soon after his engaging in it, he wrote the following letter:
    • 1940, Foster Rhea Dulles, America Learns to Play: A history of popular recreation, 1607-1940, page 61
      [] and there were few more zealous dancers at the fashionable balls in the Raleigh Tavern at Williamsburg.
    • 2004, Andrew Dickson White, A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom, page 122
      Doubtless many will exclaim against the Roman Catholic Church for this; but the simple truth is that Protestantism was no less zealous against the new scientific doctrine.

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