browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
zeal |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Zeal \Zeal\ (z[=e]l), n. [F. z[`e]le; cf Pg & It zelo, Sp zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr ?, probably akin to ? to boil. Cf {Yeast}, {Jealous}.] 1. Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything eagerness in favor of a person or cause ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor. ``Ambition varnished o'er with zeal.'' --Milton. ``Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.'' --Dryden. ``Zeal's never-dying fire.'' --Keble. I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. --Rom. x. 2. A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established. --Johnson. 2. A zealot. [Obs.] --B. Jonson From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Zeal \Zeal\, v. i. To be zealous. [Obs. & R.] --Bacon. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: zeal n 1: a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause); "they were imbued with a revolutionary ardor"; "he felt a kind of religious zeal" [syn: {ardor}, {ardour}, {elan}] 2: excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end "he had an absolute zeal for litigation" From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: Zeal an earnest temper; may be enlightened (Num. 25:11-13; 2 Cor. 7:11; 9:2), or ignorant and misdirected (Rom. 10:2; Phil. 3:6). As a Christian grace, it must be grounded on right principles and directed to right ends (Gal. 4:18). It is sometimes ascribed to God (2 Kings 19:31; Isa. 9:7; 37:32; Ezek. 5:13). From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]: ZEAL, n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. A passion that goeth before a sprawl. When Zeal sought Gratitude for his reward He went away exclaiming: "O my Lord!" "What do you want?" the Lord asked, bending down "An ointment for my cracked and bleeding crown." Jum Coople
more about zeal