Search Result for "zeal": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause);
- Example: "they were imbued with a revolutionary ardor"
- Example: "he felt a kind of religious zeal"
[syn: ardor, ardour, elan, zeal]

2. excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end;
- Example: "he had an absolute zeal for litigation"

3. prompt willingness;
- Example: "readiness to continue discussions"
- Example: "they showed no eagerness to spread the gospel"
- Example: "they disliked his zeal in demonstrating his superiority"
- Example: "he tried to explain his forwardness in battle"
[syn: readiness, eagerness, zeal, forwardness]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Zeal \Zeal\, v. i.
   To be zealous. [Obs. & R.] --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.]
   [1913 Webster]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but
            not according to knowledge.           --Rom. x. 2.
      [1913 Webster]

            A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to
            subvert with little care what shall be established.
                                                  --Johnson.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A zealot. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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, zeal]
    2: excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end; "he
       had an absolute zeal for litigation"
    3: prompt willingness; "readiness to continue discussions";
       "they showed no eagerness to spread the gospel"; "they
       disliked his zeal in demonstrating his superiority"; "he
       tried to explain his forwardness in battle" [syn:
       readiness, eagerness, zeal, forwardness]


The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

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