| 单词 | earnest |
| 释义 | earnest earnest1 —earnestly, adv. —earnestness, n. /err"nist/, adj. 1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous: an earnest worker. 2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling: earnest words; an earnest entreaty. 3. seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention. n. 4. full seriousness, as of intention or purpose: to speak in earnest. [bef. 1000; ME erneste, OE eornoste (adj.); ME ernest, OE eornost (n.); c. D, G ernest] Syn. 1. fervent, intent, purposeful, determined, industrious, ambitious. EARNEST, RESOLUTE, SERIOUS, SINCERE imply having qualities of depth and firmness. EARNEST implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager in pursuing it: an earnest student. RESOLUTE adds a quality of determination: resolute in defending the right. SERIOUS implies having depth and a soberness of attitude that contrasts with gaiety and frivolity; it may include the qualities of both earnestness and resolution: serious and thoughtful. SINCERE suggests genuineness, trustworthiness, and absence of superficiality: a sincere interest in music. Ant. 1. frivolous. earnest2 /err"nist/, n. 1. a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder. 2. Law. See earnest money. 3. anything that gives pledge, promise, or indication of what is to follow. [1175-1225; ME ernes(t), alter. of OF erres, pl. of ERRE earnest money < L arr(h)a short for arr(h)abo (perh. by taking -bo as a future tense ending) < Gk arrhabón < Sem (cf. Heb 'erabhon security, pledge). Cf. ARRAS2] |
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