Zeal
[ziːl] or [zil]
Definition
(noun.) excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end; 'he had an absolute zeal for litigation'.
Checked by Adrienne--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.
(n.) A zealot.
(v. i.) To be zealous.
Inputed by Alan
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Ardor, eagerness, engagedness, fervor, fervency, warmth, glow, feeling, energy, earnestness, intentness, heartiness, cordiality, enthusiasm, passion, soul, spirit.
Checked by Amy
Definition
n. boiling or passionate ardour for anything: enthusiasm.—n. Zeal′ant (Bacon) a zealot or enthusiast.—adj. Zeal′less wanting zeal.—ns. Zealot (zel′ot) one full of zeal: an enthusiast: a fanatic: one of a fanatical Jewish party whose restless opposition to the Roman domination finally brought about the ruin of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.; Zealotism (zel′-) the character of a zealot; Zealotry (zel′-).—adj. Zealous (zel′-) full of zeal: warmly engaged or ardent in anything.—adv. Zealously (zel′-).—n. Zealousness (zel′-).
Editor: Rodney
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. A passion that goeth before a sprawl.
Editor: Tod
Examples
- George remained four years at a French university, and, applying himself with an unintermitted zeal, obtained a very thorough education. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- He put in for me, with a zeal that was quite apostolic. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Then he would have tried to kindle, blow and stir up in me the zeal of good works. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Methought this was but a poor expedient; but I assured him of my obedience and zeal. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- It is in this set of men, accordingly, that I have observed the greatest zeal for the continuance or renewal of the bounty. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- We have been talking with unseemly zeal about bloody battles and butchering generals; we arrive now at a triumph in your line. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- That's my mind, said the good lady, breaking suddenly out with a tide of zeal that had been gaining strength in her mind all the morning. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Research is stimulated, actively aroused, and a passionate zeal suffuses what is perhaps the most spontaneous reform enthusiasm of our time. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- We all felt then that we were of importance, and that our contribution of effort and zeal were vital. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- In the fervour of my zeal to distribute the letters, it never occurred to me to inquire about Rachel. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The Turk, amazed and delighted, endeavoured to kindle the zeal of his deliverer by promises of reward and wealth. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- At this French party, I expected that the men would be tumbling over each other in their too great zeal to show me their national politeness. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- There was an obtrusive show of compassionate zeal in his voice and manner, more intolerable--at least to me--than any demeanour he could have assumed. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Do you think I show symptoms of yellow fever or cholera, that you are making post mortem arrangements with such zeal? Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- In my dauntless zeal for her welfare, I ran the great risk, and openly alluded to her marriage engagement. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
Inputed by Juana