Search the Dictionary

Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



157 words match “EARNEST”

EARNEST n. 7 definitions
xed determination; eagerness; intentness. Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sir P. Sidney. And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak. In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
EARNESTFUL a.
Serious. [Obs.] Chaucer.
EARNESTLY adv.
In an earnest manner.
EARNESTNESS n.
The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety. An honest earnestness in the young man's manner. W. Irving.
OVEREARNEST a.
Too earnest. -- O"ver*ear"nest*ly, adv. -- O"ver*ear"nest*ness, n.
A-GOOD adv.
In earnest; heartily. [Obs.] "I made her weep agood." Shak.
ADJURATION n.
The act of adjuring; a solemn charging on oath, or under the penalty of a curse; an earnest appeal. What an accusation could not effect, an adjuration shall. Bp. Hall.
ADJURE v.
the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly. Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho. Josh. vi. 26. The high priest . . . said . . . I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell…
AFFECTUOUS a.
Full of passion or emotion; earnest. [Obs.] -- Af*fec"tu*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.] Fabyan.
AGITATE v.
To discuss with great earnestness; to debate; as, a controversy hotly agitated. Boyle.
AGITATION n.
ination or consideration of a subject in controversy, or of a plan proposed for adoption; earnest discussion; debate. A logical agitation of the matter. L'Estrange. The project now in agitation. Swift.
AGONY n.
y, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. Luke xxii. 44.
AGOOD adv.
In earnest; heartily. [Obs.] "I made her weep agood." Shak.
ANXIOUS a.
Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please. He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve and at those who are eager for reform. Macaulay.
APPEAL v.
l to all mankind for the truth of what is alleged. Hence: To call on one for aid; to make earnest request. I appeal to the Scriptures in the original. Horsley. They appealed to the sword. Macaulay.
APPRECATION n.
Earnest prayer; devout wish. [Obs.] A solemn apprecation of good success. Bp. Hall.
ARLES n.
An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain. [Scot.] Arles penny, earnest money given to servants. Kersey.
ARRHA n.
Money or other valuable thing given to evidence a contract; a pledge or earnest.
ATRABILIOUS a.
Melancholic or hypochondriac; atrabiliary. Dunglision. A hard-faced, atrabilious, earnest-eyed race. Lowell. He was constitutionally atrabilious and scornful. Froude.
ATTENTION n.
object of sense, representation, or thought; notice; exclusive or special consideration; earnest consideration, thought, or regard; obedient or affectionate heed; the supposed power or faculty of attending. They say the tongues of dying men Enforce attention like deep harmony. Shak.
← Previous Page 1 of 8 Next →