Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Eager
Ea′ger
,Adj.
1.
Sharp; sour; acid.
[Obs.]
“Like eager droppings into milk.” Shak.
2.
Sharp; keen; bitter; severe.
[Obs.]
“A nipping and an eager air.” “Eager words.” Shak.
3.
Excited by desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform, or obtain; keenly desirous; hotly longing; earnest; zealous; impetuous; vehement;
as, the hounds were
. eager
in the chaseAnd gazed for tidings in my
eager
eyes. Shakespeare
How
eagerly
ye follow my disgraces! Shakespeare
When to her
Her infant’s thrilling kiss.
eager
lips is broughtHer infant’s thrilling kiss.
Keble.
A crowd of
eager
and curious schoolboys. Hawthorne.
Conceit and grief an
eager
combat fight. Shakespeare
4.
Brittle; inflexible; not ductile.
[Obs.]
Syn. – Earnest; ardent; vehement; hot; impetuous; fervent; intense; impassioned; zealous; forward.
See
Earnest
. – Eager
, Earnest
. Eager marks an excited state of desire or passion; thus, a child is eager for a plaything, a hungry man is eager for food, a covetous man is eager for gain. Eagerness is liable to frequent abuses, and is good or bad, as the case may be. It relates to what is praiseworthy or the contrary. Earnest denotes a permanent state of mind, feeling, or sentiment. It is always taken in a good sense; as, a preacher is
. earnest
in his appeals to the conscience; an agent is earnest
in his solicitationsWebster 1828 Edition
Eager
E'AGER
,Adj.
1.
Excited by ardent desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform or obtain; inflamed by desire; ardently wishing or longing. The soldiers were eager to engage the enemy. Men are eager in the pursuit of wealth. The lover is eager to possess the object of his affections.2.
Ardent; vehement; impetuous; as eager spirits; eager zeal; eager clamors.3.
Sharp; sour; acid; as eager droppings into milk. [Little used.]4.
Sharp; keen; biting; severe; as eager air; eager cold. [Little used.]5.
Brittle; inflexible; not ductile; as, the gold is too eager. [Local.]