Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Earnest
Ear′nest
(ẽr′nĕst)
, Noun.
[AS.
eornost
, eornest
; akin to OHG. ernust
, G. ernst
; cf. Icel. orrosta
battle, perh. akin to Gr. ὀρνύναι
to excite, L. oriri
to rise.] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to
earnest
. Sir P. Sidney.
And given in
earnest
what I begged in jest. Shakespeare
In earnest
, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
Ear′nest
,Adj.
1.
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; – used in a good sense;
as,
. earnest
prayersAn
earnest
advocate to plead for him. Shakespeare
2.
Intent; fixed closely;
as,
. earnest
attention3.
Serious; important.
[Obs.]
Syn. – Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See
Eager
. Ear′nest
,Verb.
T.
To use in earnest.
[R.]
To
earnest
them [our arms] with men. Pastor Fido (1602).
Ear′nest
,Noun.
[Prob. corrupted fr. F.
arrhes
, L. arra
, arrha
, arrhabo
, Gr. ἀρραβών
, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. ērāvōn
; or perh. fr. W. ernes
, akin to Gael. earlas
, perh. fr. L. arra
. Cf. Arles
, Earles penny
.] 1.
Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the
earnest
of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Cor. i. 22.
And from his coffers
Received the golden
Received the golden
earnest
of our death. Shakespeare
2.
(Law)
Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.
Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin.
These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock’s defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.
Webster 1828 Edition
Earnest
EARNEST
,Adj.
1.
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain; having a longing desire; warmly engaged or incited.They are never more earnest to disturb us, than when they see us most earnest in this duty.
2.
Ardent; warm; eager; zealous; animated; importunate; as earnest in love; earnest in prayer.3.
Intent; fixed.On that prospect strange
Their earnest eyes were fixed.
4.
Serious; important; that is, really intent or engaged; whence the phrase, in earnest. To be in earnest, is to be really urging or stretching towards an object; intent on a pursuit. Hence, from fixed attention, comes the sense of seriousness in the pursuit, as opposed to trifling or jest. Are you in earnest or in jest?EARNEST
,Noun.
Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.
And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.
1.
First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success. The christian's peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain.This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Thus the earnest of the spirit is given to saints, as a pledge or assurance of their future enjoyment of God's presence and favor.