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Webster 1913 Edition


Zealous

Zeal′ous

(?; 277)
,
Adj.
[LL.
zelosus
. See
Zeal
.]
1.
Filled with, or characterized by, zeal; warmly engaged, or ardent, in behalf of an object.
He may be
zealous
in the salvation of souls.
Law.
2.
Filled with religious zeal.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Zeal′ous-ly
,
adv.
Zeal′ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Zealous

ZEALOUS

,
Adj.
Zelus. Warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of an object.
Being thus saved himself, he may be zealous in the salvation of souls.

Definition 2024


zealous

zealous

English

Alternative forms

  • zelous

Adjective

zealous (comparative more zealous, superlative most zealous)

  1. Full of zeal; ardent, fervent; exhibiting enthusiasm or strong passion.
    • 1791, James Boswell, The life of Samuel Johnson, new ed. (1831) 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:
    • 1896, Andrew Dickson White, A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom (2004 edition), 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.
    • 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.
    • 2011 April 4, "Newt Gingrich," Time (retrieved 9 Sept 2013):
      Newt Gingrich . . . left Congress in 1998, following GOP midterm-election losses that many blamed on his zealous pursuit of Bill Clinton's impeachment.

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