α. late Middle English 1600s zelose, late Middle English–1600s zelous, 1500s zeleus, 1500s zelowse, 1500s–1600s zelouse; also Scottish pre-1700 zelios, pre-1700 zelois, pre-1700 zelus.
β. 1500s– zealous; also Scottish pre-1700 zealus.
zealousadj.
/ˈzɛləs/, U.S. /ˈzɛləs/ 1. Of an action, thing, etc.† b. Characterized by or expressive of intense or powerful emotion, esp. when directed at the preservation or protection of something; ardent, vehement; righteously passionate. Cf. zeal n. 1. Obsolete except as merged in sense 1a.
a. Characterized by or indicative of passionate enthusiasm or fervour for a cause, belief, objective, etc. Cf. zeal n. 2.
ΚΠ
?1495 R. Fitzjames Sermo Die Lune in Ebdomada Pasche (de Worde) sig. avi An helper or sauer of ye people by his holy & zelose obedyence.
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance f. 98v When they had spoken, the emperour and other that were with hym, semed to commende their zelous affection.
1563 W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) Hastings xiv The many meanes, wherby I dyd bewraye My zelous wyll, to earne my prynces grace.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iii. vii. 94 When..religious men, Are at their beads, tis hard to draw them thence, So sweet is zealous contemplation. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 19 This zelous kisse. View more context for this quotation
1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions ii. iii. 130 Then which [sc. Bulla Cruciatæ] there was never a more zealous piece, published to the world.
1756 D. Garrick Let. 26 Feb. (1963) I. 237 That You may soon return safe & well to this Kingdom is ye most Zealous Wish of Yr most devoted D: Garrick.
1808 W. Wilson Hist. Dissenting Churches I. 391 To those doctrines he expressed a zealous attachment.
1852 W. E. Gladstone Functions of Laymen in Church 36 Zealous and intelligent co-operation.
1902 Davenport (Iowa) Daily Republican 9 Mar. 10/2 Efforts that are as hasty as they are zealous.
1958 Amer. Polit. Sci. Rev. 52 904/2 George's plain and morally zealous strictures on the inequities of private land-holding..served to stir a mass interest in the ‘land question.’
2003 R. G. Madden Essent. Law Social Workers iv. 63 The duty of a lawyer to provide zealous representation.
ΚΠ
1582 T. Bentley Sixt Lampe Virginitie 17 Godlie and zealous anger in the husband towards the wife is lawfull.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ix. 538 Whenas the noble Britomart heard tell Of Troian warres..She was empassiond at that piteous act, With zelous enuy of Greekes cruell fact, Against that nation.
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. vi. 98 The People fall In zealous fury on the Priests of Baal.
1641 M. Milward Sword-bearer 13 When hee saw his Fathers House abus'd..hee had anger certainly, though not as a passion of revenge..it was zealous anger, not vicious anger.
2. Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc.; vehemently or earnestly dedicated to the pursuit of an objective or outcome. Also (esp. in later use) in weakened sense: eager, keen (cf. zeal n. 3).
a. With the object towards which zeal is directed introduced by for or of (formerly also over, to, unto, etc.). Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > zeal or enthusiasm > [adjective]
needfulOE
anguishous?c1225
eager?a1300
throc1330
fierce1377
desirousc1386
affectuousa1400
yeverousa1400
inwardc1402
earnestful?1406
rathe?c1450
zealing1459
increc1480
affectual1483
zealous1526
affectioneda1533
jealous1535
heartyc1540
affectivec1550
earnest1563
pricking1575
forward1587
affectionate1598
passiveless1602
zealful1602
full-hearteda1616
wholehearted1644
intense1645
high1649
covetous1652
thorough-hearted1656
keen as mustard1659
fell1667
fervent1673
smirk1674
zealed1679
prest1697
strenuous1713
enthusiastic1741
enthusiastical1755
whole-souled1821
con amore1828
lyrical1875
mustard1919
gung ho1942
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > hearty or zealous
affectuousa1400
affectual1483
zealous1526
jealous1535
heartyc1540
affectivec1550
gung ho1942
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > vehement or passionate desire > [adjective] > vehemently or passionately desirous
wildc725
ardentc1374
fierce1377
flagrant?1521
zealous1526
passionatea1530
heady1543
concupiscentious1555
passionative1593
luxurious1614
mada1627
concupitive1651
sultry1671
hot-tempered1673
ardurousa1770
wild1811
nympholeptic1818
concupiscenta1834
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxi. 20 They are all zelous over the lawe [Geneva zelous of the Lawe].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xix. 10 I haue bene zelous for the Lorde God Zebaoth.
1611 Bible (King James) Acts xxii. 3 I..was zealous towards God.
1644 J. Milton tr. M. Bucer Ivdgem. conc. Divorce 6 Jerom..though zealous of single life more then anough,..defended Fabiola.
1733 in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 47 Be assured that none is more truly zealous for your welfare, than your F. A. Kelly.
1824 Morning Chron. 28 Dec. His Ministers, zealous of the royal interests.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 175 The House of Commons..more zealous for royalty than the king, more zealous for episcopacy than the bishops.
1908 New Castle (Pa.) News 29 July 10/4 Many new converts..were zealous of good works.
1963–4 Internat. Rev. Educ. 9 434 The Ministry of Education is most zealous of maintaining direct control of all educational policies and practices.
2014 Times (Nexis) 17 May (Features section) 86 It's possible to be simultaneously enthusiastic about language, zealous for good English teaching and..hostile to the philosophy behind the Bad Grammar Awards.
b. With infinitive or clause indicating a desired objective or outcome.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > strong or eager desire > [adjective]
yernc893
oflisteOE
courageousc1290
eager?a1300
greedya1300
keena1375
affectuousa1400
lickerousc1405
appetentc1420
affectual1483
gasping1517
zealous1531
avidious1534
avidous1542
affectivec1550
anxious1570
lickerish1579
solicitous1628
mantling1657
ambitioning1683
urgent1753
avid1769
agasp1800
concernable1886
yearnful1889
yevery1896
1531 W. Tyndale Expos. Fyrste Epist. St. Jhon (v) sig. H.vv They were zelouse and feruente to mayntene the opinion of so turnynge bred and wine in to the body & bloude of Christ.
1560 Bible (Geneva) 2 Chron. Argt. sig. 191v And thirdely how the good rulers euer loued the Prophetes of God, and were very zealous to set forthe his religion throughout all their dominions.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ff4v I am..zealous and affectionate to recede as little from Antiquitie..as may stand with truth. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 565 A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of th' Almighties works. View more context for this quotation
1688 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 577 Multituds..zealous to heare the second sermon.
1729 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (new ed.) III. 242 If any is so zealous, To be a Party-minion, Let him drink like me.
1786 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 201/2 That excellent man, ever zealous to revive and cherish a taste for Oriental learning.
1850 Ld. Tennyson Princess (ed. 3) iv. 92 Not a scorner of your sex But venerator, zealous it should be All that it might be.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. viii. 111 I's so zealous to be a cotchin' Lizy, that I could n't hold in.
1903 Burlington (Iowa) Hawk-eye 30 July 7/6 The anxious public should not be too zealous to know all of his plans.
1960 News Bull. Rocky Mountain Mod. Lang. Assoc. 13 2/1 One wonders what old miner, zealous that due credit be given, laid this home-made stone.
2013 J. Iorg Seasons of Leader's Life 3 Most of them..are zealous to learn all they can.
c. In attributive or predicative use without construction.In the 17th cent., sometimes with disparaging implication of excessive puritanical zeal (see quot. 1673); cf. zeal n. 2.
ΚΠ
1545 J. Bale Mysterye Inyquyte P. Pantolabus f.55v Zelouse wolde this Poete fayne be seane in his holye mothers quarell.
1551 T. Lever Serm. xiiii. December (new ed.) sig. E.viv Cause a zelous Phinees to shedde the harte bloude of hym that that..taketh a Madianite into hys tent.
a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 921 As some giddy spirites thinke now, that they which are zelouser than themselues know not what they say nor doe.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 32 Let them stay at home who are so zealous, as they will pull the Hostia or Sacrament out of the Priests hand.
1659 J. Milton Considerations touching Hirelings 90 Out of the ablest and zealousest among them to create elders.
1673 J. Wade Vinegar & Mustard (1873) 15 Are they not reverend botchers,..or some weavers, Some zealous cobblers, hatmakers and glovers?
1700 A. B. Let. to Friend 3/1 When I see the Authors so very zealous in defending their own Mistakes..I cannot but extreamly regret the ill usage of those important Truths they undertake to confute.
1776 Short Jrnl. Labours & Trav. D. Bell (new ed.) 80 We had divers large and good meetings in that city, there being considerable body of sensible zealous friends.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §5. 508 Episcopacy had become identified among the more zealous Scotchmen with the old Catholicism.
1888 H. McCulloch Men & Meas. of Half Cent. xxxiii. 494 Zealous in whatever he undertook, truthful and sincere, he made the Tribune a paper of vast and healthy influence.
1921 Bakersfield Californian 27 June ii. 8/1 A zealous patriot..and one, too, with the courage of his convictions.
1945 Times 3 Aug. 5/6 Success in weather forecasting depends on adequate scientific observations and an adequate staff of zealous workers.
2009 L. S. Chancer in D. Humphries Women, Violence, & Media xii. 263 Several people felt that prosecutors..were overly zealous in pursuing indictments.
3. Esp. of God: fiercely or passionately protective or vigilant in the preservation of something; jealous. Cf. zeal n. 1a, jealous adj. 3, 4. Now rare or merged in sense 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [adjective] > ardently amorous or covetous of another's love
jealous14..
zealous1545
the mind > emotion > jealousy or envy > [adjective] > jealous > of lover
jealousa1250
zealous1545
1545 G. Joye Expos. Daniel (i.) f.12 I am the strong and zelouse God.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Agst. Idol. iii. sig. Tt ij b To spoyle the zelous God of his honour.
1630 G. Hakewill Apologie (ed. 2) iv. x. 433 That this people should be so wonderfully zealous of the renowne of their nation.
a1720 W. Dunlop Serm. (1722) II. 67 This holy and zealous God, will, when he marks Iniquity, surround himself with the most piercing Light.
1890 Convent. Rec. (Kentucky Constit. Convent.) 15 Oct. 12/2 Those people were so zealous of their rights, that they were not willing to accept that Constitution without a Bill of Rights.
1955 Hispanic Rev. 23 211 A nation, so obsessed with the political and cultural superiority of its neighbors, yet so proud and zealous of its own accomplishments.
2014 A. López Gift & Unity of Being vii. 263 A zealous God who accepts nothing that does not recognize the glory of his holiness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.?1495