Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ambitious
1.
Possessing, or controlled by, ambition; greatly or inordinately desirous of power, honor, office, superiority, or distinction.
Yet Brutus says he was
And Brutus is an honorable man.
ambitious
,And Brutus is an honorable man.
Shakespeare
2.
Strongly desirous; – followed by of or the infinitive;
as,
. ambitious
to be or to do somethingI was not
ambitious of
seeing this ceremony. Evelyn.
Studious of song, and yet
ambitious
not to sing in vain. Cowper.
3.
Springing from, characterized by, or indicating, ambition; showy; aspiring;
as, an
. ambitious
styleA giant statue . . .
Pushed by a wild and artless race,
From off wide,
Pushed by a wild and artless race,
From off wide,
ambitious
base. Collins.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ambitious
AMBI'TIOUS
,Adj.
1.
Desirous of power, honor, office, superiority or excellence; aspiring; eager for fame; followed by of before a noun; as ambitious of glory.2.
Showy; adapted to command notice or praise; as, ambitious ornaments.3.
Figuratively, eager to swell or rise higher; as, the ambitious ocean.