| 释义 |
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.
1535Coverdale 1 Kings xix. 10, I haue bene zelous for the Lorde God Zebaoth. 1585Whitney Choice Embl. (1586) Ep. Ded. *3, A zelous fauorer of the Gospell, and of the godlie Preachers thereof. a1591H. 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. 1617Moryson 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. 1653Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 368 Out of the ablest and zealousest among them to create Elders. 1673J. W[ade] Vin. & Must. (1873) 15 Are they not reverend botchers,..or some weavers, Some zealous cobblers, hatmakers and glovers? 1733in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 47 Be assured that none is more truly zealous for your welfare, than your F. A. Kelly. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 175 The House of Commons..more zealous for royalty than the king, more zealous for episcopacy than the bishops. 1874Green 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).
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vii. §2. 24, I am..zealous and affectionate to recede as little from Antiquitie..as may stand with truth. 1667Milton P.L. iv. 565 A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of th' Almighties works. a1700Evelyn Diary 1 Apr. 1688, Multitudes zealous to hear the second sermon. 1847Tennyson Princess iv. 403 Not a scorner of your sex But venerator, zealous it should be All that it might be. 1852Mrs. 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.
1526Tindale Acts xxi. 20 They are all zelous over the lawe [Geneva zelous of the Lawe]. 1611Bible Acts xxii. 3, I..was zealous towards God. Ibid. Titus ii. 14 A peculiar people, zealous of good workes. 1644Milton Judgm. Bucer xxii. Wks. 1851 IV. 313 Jerom..though zealous of single life more then enough,..defended Fabiola.
b. Of passions, actions, etc.
1563Mirr. Mag., Hastings xiv, The many meanes, wherby I dyd bewraye My zelous wyll, to earne my prynces grace. 1594Shakes. 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. 1649Bp. Hall Cases Consc. ii. iii. 130 Then wch [sc. Bulla Cruciatæ] there was never a more zealous piece, published to the world. 1808W. Wilson Hist. Diss. Ch. I. 391 To those doctrines he expressed a zealous attachment. 1851Gladstone Glean. VI. lxiv. 42 Zealous and intelligent co-operation.
†2. = jealous 4, 4 c. Obs. rare.
1563Homilies ii. Agst. Idol. iii. Tt ij b, To spoyle the zelous God of his honour. 1630Hakewill Apol. (ed. 2) iv. x. §4. 433 That this people should be so wonderfully zealous of the renowne of their nation. |