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Word Study
earnest
CIDE DICTIONARY
earnest, n. [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. 'orny`nai to excite, L. oriri to rise.].
Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. [1913 Webster]
"Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest." [1913 Webster]
"And given in earnest what I begged in jest." [1913 Webster]
earnest, a.
- 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 prayers. [1913 Webster]"An earnest advocate to plead for him." [1913 Webster]
- Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. [1913 Webster]
- Serious; important. [1913 Webster]"They whom earnest lets do often hinder."
Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.
earnest, v. t.
To use in earnest. [1913 Webster]
"To earnest them [our arms] with men." [1913 Webster]
earnest, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. 'arrabw`n, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. ; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.].
- Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come. [1913 Webster]"Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." [1913 Webster]"And from his coffers
Received the golden earnest of our death." [1913 Webster] - 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. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
earnest, adj. & n.
--adj. ardently or intensely serious; zealous; not trifling or joking.
--n. seriousness.
--adj. ardently or intensely serious; zealous; not trifling or joking.
--n. seriousness.
Idiom
in (or in real) earnest serious(ly), not joking(ly); with determination.
Derivative
earnestly adv. earnestness n.
earnest, n.
1 money paid as an instalment, esp. to confirm a contract etc.
2 a token or foretaste (in earnest of what is to come).
1 money paid as an instalment, esp. to confirm a contract etc.
2 a token or foretaste (in earnest of what is to come).
Etymology
ME ernes, prob. var. of erles, arles prob. f. med.L arrhula (unrecorded) f. arr(h)a pledge
THESAURUS
earnest
abandoned, acquitment, acquittal, acquittance, advertent, afire, agog, alert, all ears, all eyes, amortization, amortizement, ardent, assiduous, attention, attentive, aware, awe-inspiring, bail, binder, bond, bound, bound and determined, burning, busy, careful, cash, cash payment, clearance, committed, concentrated, conscientious, conscious, debt service, decided, decisive, decorous, dedicated, definite, defrayal, defrayment, demure, deposit, determined, devoted, devout, diligent, disbursal, discharge, doling out, down payment, eager, earnest money, enthusiasm, enthusiastic, escrow, faithful, fatal, fateful, fervent, fervid, fiery, finical, finicking, finicky, firm, flaming, formal, formidable, frowning, gage, grave, grim, grim-faced, grim-visaged, guarantee, handsel, hard-working, hearty, heated, heavy, heedful, hire purchase, hire purchase plan, hock, hostage, hot, hot-blooded, impassioned, imposing, in earnest, industrious, installment, installment plan, intense, intent, intent on, intentive, intentness, interest, interest payment, keen, liquidation, long-faced, loyal, mainprise, meticulous, mindful, monthly payments, never-never, nice, niggling, no-nonsense, observant, observing, obstinate, on fire, on the ball, on the job, open-eared, open-eyed, openmouthed, passionate, pawn, paying, paying off, paying out, paying up, payment, payment in kind, payoff, perfervid, perseverant, persevering, persistent, pignus, pledge, portentous, prepayment, pressing, purposeful, quarterly payments, quittance, recognizance, red-hot, regardful, regular payments, relentless, remittance, replevin, replevy, resolute, resolved, retirement, satisfaction, security, sedate, sedulous, serious, seriousness, settlement, sincere, single-minded, sinking-fund payment, sober, sober-minded, sobersided, solemn, somber, spirited, spot cash, staid, steady, stone-faced, straight-faced, surety, tenacious, thoughtful, token, token payment, undertaking, unsmiling, vadimonium, vadium, vehement, warm, warmth, warrant, watchful, weekly payments, weighty, white-hot, wholehearted, zeal, zealousROGET THESAURUS
earnest
Willingness
N willingness, voluntariness, willing mind, heart, disposition, inclination, leaning, animus, frame of mind, humor, mood, vein, bent, penchant, aptitude, docility, docibleness, persuasibleness, persuasibility, pliability, geniality, cordiality, goodwill, alacrity, readiness, earnestness, forwardness, eagerness, asset, compliance, pleasure, gratuitous service, labor of love, volunteer, volunteering, willing, minded, fain, disposed, inclined, favorable, favorably- minded, favorably inclined, favorably disposed, nothing loth, in the vein, in the mood, in the humor, in the mind, ready, forward, earnest, eager, bent upon, predisposed, propense, docile, persuadable, persuasible, suasible, easily persuaded, facile, easy-going, tractable, genial, gracious, cordial, cheering, hearty, content, voluntary, gratuitous, spontaneous, unasked &c (ask), unforced, willingly, fain, freely, as lief, heart and soul, with pleasure, with all one's heart, with open arms, with good will, with right will, de bonne volonte, ex animo, con amore, heart in hand, nothing loth, without reluctance, of one's own accord, graciously, with a good grace, a la bonne heure, by all means, by all manner of means, to one's heart's content, yes.Resolution
N resolution, determination, will, iron will, unconquerable will, will of one's own, decision, resolution, backbone, clear grit, true grit, grit, sand, strength of mind, strength of will, resolve, firmness, energy, manliness, vigor, game, pluck, resoluteness, zeal, aplomb, desperation, devotion, devotedness, mastery over self, self control, self command, self possession, self reliance, self government, self restraint, self conquest, self denial, moral courage, moral strength, perseverance, tenacity, obstinacy, bulldog, British lion, resolved, determined, strong-willed, strong-minded, resolute, self-possessed, decided, definitive, peremptory, tranchant, unhesitating, unflinching, unshrinking, firm, iron, gritty, indomitable, game to the backbone, inexorable, relentless, not to be shaken, not to be put down, tenax propositi, inflexible, obstinate, steady, earnest, serious, set upon, bent upon, intent upon, steel against, proof against, in utrumque paratus, resolutely, in earnest, in good earnest, seriously, joking apart, earnestly, heart and soul, on one's mettle, manfully, like a man, with a high hand, with a strong hand, at any rate, at any risk, at any hazard, at any price, at any cost, at any sacrifice, at all hazards, at all risks, at all events, a' bis ou a blanc, cost what it may, coute, a tort et a travers, once for all, neck or nothing, rain or shine, spes sibi quisque, celui qui veut celui-la peut, chi non s'arrischia non guadagna, frangas non flectes, manu forti, tentanda via est.Importance
N importance, consequence, moment, prominence, consideration, mark, materialness, import, significance, concern, emphasis, interest, greatness, superiority, notability, weight, value, usefulness, gravity, seriousness, solemnity, no joke, no laughing matter, pressure, urgency, stress, matter of life and death, memorabilia, notabilia, great doings, red-letter day, great thing, great point, main chance, the be all and the end all, cardinal point, substance, gist, sum and substance, gravamen, head and front, important part, principal part, prominent part, essential part, half the battle, sine qua non, breath of one's nostrils, cream, salt, core, kernel, heart, nucleus, keynote, keystone, corner stone, trump card, salient points, top sawyer, first fiddle, prima donna, chief, triton among the minnows, 'it', important, of importance, momentous, material, to the point, not to be overlooked, not to be despised, not to be sneezed at, egregious, weighty, of note, notable, prominent, salient, signal, memorable, remarkable, unforgettable, worthy of remark, worthy of notice, never to be forgotten, stirring, eventful, grave, serious, earnest, noble, grand, solemn, impressive, commanding, imposing, urgent, pressing, critical, instant, paramount, essential, vital, all-absorbing, radical, cardinal, chief, main, prime, primary, principal, leading, capital, foremost, overruling, of vital importance in the front rank, first-rate, superior, considerable, marked, rare, significant, telling, trenchant, emphatic, pregnant, tanti, materially, in the main, above all, kat' exochin, par excellence, to crown all, to beat all, expende Hannibalem!.Security
N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.Expenditure
N expenditure, money going out, out goings, out lay, expenses, disbursement, prime cost, circulation, run upon a bank, payment, pay, bribe, fee, footing, garnish, subsidy, tribute, contingent, quota, donation, pay in advance, earnest, handsel, deposit, installment, investment, purchase, expending, expended, sumptuary, vectigalia nervos esse reipublicae.Feeling
N feeling, suffering, endurance, tolerance, sufferance, supportance, experience, response, sympathy, impression, inspiration, affection, sensation, emotion, pathos, deep sense, warmth, glow, unction, gusto, vehemence, fervor, fervency, heartiness, cordiality, earnestness, eagerness, empressement, gush, ardor, zeal, passion, enthusiasm, verve, furore, fanaticism, excitation of feeling, fullness of the heart, passion, ecstasy, blush, suffusion, flush, hectic, tingling, thrill, turn, shock, agitation, quiver, heaving, flutter, flurry, fluster, twitter, tremor, throb, throbbing, pulsation, palpitation, panting, trepidation, perturbation, ruffle, hurry of spirits, pother, stew, ferment, state of excitement, feeling, sentient, sensuous, sensorial, sensory, emotive, emotional, of feeling, with feeling, warm, quick, lively, smart, strong, sharp, acute, cutting, piercing, incisive, keen, keen as a razor, trenchant, pungent, racy, piquant, poignant, caustic, impressive, deep, profound, indelible, deep felt, home felt, heartfelt, swelling, soul-stirring, deep-mouthed, heart-expanding, electric, thrilling, rapturous, ecstatic, earnest, wistful, eager, breathless, fervent, fervid, gushing, passionate, warm-hearted, hearty, cordial, sincere, zealous, enthusiastic, glowing, ardent, burning, red-hot, fiery, flaming, boiling over, pervading, penetrating, absorbing, rabid, raving, feverish, fanatical, hysterical, impetuous, impressed with, moved with, touched with, affected with, penetrated with, seized with, imbued with, devoured by, wrought up, struck all of a heap, rapt, in a quiver, enraptured, heart and soul, from the bottom of one's heart, ab imo pectore, at heart, con amore, heartily, devoutly, over head and ears, head over heels, the heart big, the heart full, the heart swelling, the heart beating, the heart pulsating, the heart throbbing, the heart thumping, the heart beating high, the heart melting, the heart overflowing, the heart bursting, the heart breaking, the heart goes out, a heart as big as all outdoors (sympathy).Also see definition of "earnest" in Bible Study Dictionaries
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