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To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a peremptory manner; to question. I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. Shak.

Money lodged with a party as earnest or security for the performance of a duty assumed by the person depositing.

To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet. Neither shall any man desire thy land. Ex. xxxiv. 24. Ye desire your child to live. Tennyson.

Warmly devoted; hearty; sincere; earnest; as, devout wishes for one's welfare. The devout, devoutly religious persons, those who are sincerely pious.

Sincerely; solemnly; earnestly. 'T is a consummation Devoutly to be wished. Shak.

e's diligence, give diligence, use diligence, to exert one's self; to make interested and earnest endeavor. And each of them doth all his diligence To do unto the festé reverence. Chaucer.

Interestedly and perseveringly attentive; steady and earnest in application to a subject or pursuit; assiduous; industrious. Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before kings. Prov. xxii. 29. Diligent cultivation of elegant literature. Prescott.

The act of disavowing, disclaiming, or disowning; rejection and denial. An earnest disavowal of fear often proceeds from fear. Richardson.

xiliary, is supposed to have been first used before imperatives. It expresses entreaty or earnest request; as, do help me. In the imperative mood, but not in the indicative, it may be used with the verb to be; as, do be quiet. Do, did, and done often stand as a general substitute or representative verb, and thus save t…

suit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform, or obtain; keenly desirous; hotly longing; earnest; zealous; impetuous; vehement; as, the hounds were eager in the chase. And gazed for tidings in my eager eyes. Shak. How eagerly ye follow my disgraces! Shak. When to her eager lips is brought Her infant's thrilling kiss.…

Earnest money. Same as Arles penny. [Obs.]

Greatly interested; of awakened zeal; earnest.

With attachment; with interest; earnestly.

The state of being deeply interested; earnestness; zeal.

To treat with, or in respect to, a thing desired; hence, to ask earnestly; to beseech; to petition or pray with urgency; to supplicate; to importune. "Entreat my wife to come." "I do entreat your patience." Shak. I must entreat of you some of that money. Shak. Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door. P…

One who entreats; one who asks earnestly; a beseecher.

The act of entreating or beseeching; urgent prayer; earnest petition; pressing solicitation. Fair entreaty, and sweet blandishment. Spenser.

See Earnest. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Earnest for the truth taught in the gospel; strict in interpreting Christian doctrine; preëminetly orthodox; -- technically applied to that party in the Church of England, and in the Protestant Episcopal Church, which holds the doctrine of "Justification by Faith alone"; the Low Church party. The term is also applied t…

To cry out from earnestness or passion; to utter with vehemence; to call out or declare loudly; to protest vehemently; to vociferate; to shout; as, to exclaim against oppression with wonder or astonishment; "The field is won!" he exclaimed.