zealous, a.
(ˈzɛləs)
Also 6–7 zelous.
[ad. med.L. zēlōsus (cf. It., Pg. zeloso, Sp. celoso), f. zēlus zeal n.: see -ous.]
1. Full of or incited by zeal; characterized by zeal or passionate ardour; fervently devoted to the promotion of some person or cause; intensely earnest; actively enthusiastic. a. of persons. Const. for.
In the 17th cent. sometimes connoting puritanical zeal.
| 1535 Coverdale 1 Kings xix. 10, I haue bene zelous for the Lorde God Zebaoth. 1585 Whitney Choice Embl. (1586) Ep. Ded. *3, A zelous fauorer of the Gospell, and of the godlie Preachers thereof. a 1591 H. Smith Serm., Acts xxvi. 27–9 (1592) 921 As some giddy spirites thinke now, that they which are zelouser than themselues know not what they say nor doe. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 32 Let them stay at home who are so zealous, as they will pull the Hostia or Sacrament out of the Priests hand. 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 368 Out of the ablest and zealousest among them to create Elders. 1673 J. W[ade] Vin. & Must. (1873) 15 Are they not reverend botchers,..or some weavers, Some zealous cobblers, hatmakers and glovers? 1733 in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 47 Be assured that none is more truly zealous for your welfare, than your F. A. Kelly. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 175 The House of Commons..more zealous for royalty than the king, more zealous for episcopacy than the bishops. 1874 Green Short Hist. viii. §5. 508 Episcopacy had become identified among the more zealous Scotchmen with the old Catholicism. |
(b) Const. inf., occas. clause (the sense passing into: Eagerly desirous).
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vii. §2. 24, I am..zealous and affectionate to recede as little from Antiquitie..as may stand with truth. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 565 A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of th' Almighties works. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 1 Apr. 1688, Multitudes zealous to hear the second sermon. 1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 403 Not a scorner of your sex But venerator, zealous it should be All that it might be. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. viii, I's so zealous to be cotchin' Lizy, that I couldn't hold in. |
† (c) In obs. const. with preps.
| 1526 Tindale Acts xxi. 20 They are all zelous over the lawe [Geneva zelous of the Lawe]. 1611 Bible Acts xxii. 3, I..was zealous towards God. Ibid. Titus ii. 14 A peculiar people, zealous of good workes. 1644 Milton Judgm. Bucer xxii. Wks. 1851 IV. 313 Jerom..though zealous of single life more then enough,..defended Fabiola. |
b. Of passions, actions, etc.
| 1563 Mirr. Mag., Hastings xiv, The many meanes, wherby I dyd bewraye My zelous wyll, to earne my prynces grace. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, iii. vii. 94 When..Religious men Are at their Beades, 'tis much to draw them thence, So sweet is zealous Contemplation. 1595 ― John ii. i. 19 This zelous kisse. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. ii. iii. 130 Then w{supc}{suph} [sc. Bulla Cruciatæ] there was never a more zealous piece, published to the world. 1808 W. Wilson Hist. Diss. Ch. I. 391 To those doctrines he expressed a zealous attachment. 1851 Gladstone Glean. VI. lxiv. 42 Zealous and intelligent co-operation. |
† 2. = jealous 4, 4 c. Obs. rare.
| 1563 Homilies ii. Agst. Idol. iii. Tt ij b, To spoyle the zelous God of his honour. 1630 Hakewill Apol. (ed. 2) iv. x. §4. 433 That this people should be so wonderfully zealous of the renowne of their nation. |