Search the Dictionary

of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some divine impulse. Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed or overweening imagination. Locke.

less mind; an artless tale. They were plain, artless men, without the least appearance of enthusiasm or credulity about them. Porteus. O, how unlike the complex works of man, Heaven's easy, artless, unencumbered plan! Cowper.

A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc. Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street. Tennyson. Whzt cheer Now do you fare What is there that is cheering

A check to enthusiasm or warmth of feeling; discouragement; as, a chill comes over an assemblly.

he act or means of communicating any influence to the mind or heart; as, the contagion of enthusiasm. "The contagion of example." Eikon Basilike. When lust . . . Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion. Milton.

Any enterprise undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm; as, a crusade against intemperance.

To depress; to check; to make dull; to lessen. In a way that considerably dampened our enthusiasm. The Century.

Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness. The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at first caught his enthusiastic mind. W. Irving. The delirium of the preceding session (of Parliament). Motley. Delirium tremens (. Etym: [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolong…

tement, as of feeling; effervescing. "Ebullient with subtlety." De Quincey. The ebullient enthusiasm of the French. Carlyle.

Excessive and overmastering joy or enthusiasm; rapture; enthusiastic delight. He on the tender grass Would sit, and hearken even to ecstasy. Milton.

Ardor inspired by passion or enthusiasm.

Demonstrative warmth or cordiality of manner; display of enthusiasm.

To excite; to rouse into action; to incite. To enkindle the enthusiasm of an artist. Talfourd.

Divinely inspired; wrought up to enthusiasm. [Obs.]

Inspiration; enthusiasm. [R.] "Religious entheasm." Byron.

One moved or actuated by enthusiasm; as: (a) One who imagines himself divinely inspired, or possessed of some special revelation; a religious madman; a fanatic. (b) One whose mind is wholly possessed and heated by what engages it; one who is influenced by a peculiar; fervor of mind; an ardent and imaginative person. En…

Filled with enthusiasm; characterized by enthusiasm; zealous; as, an enthusiastic lover of art. "Enthusiastical raptures." Calamy. -- En*thu`si*as"tic*al*ly, adv. A young man . . . of a visionary and enthusiastic character. W. Irving.

on spirit pervading the members of a body or association of persons. It implies sympathy, enthusiasm, devotion, and jealous regard for the honor of the body as a whole.

A person affected by excessive enthusiasm, particularly on religious subjects; one who indulges wild and extravagant notions of religion. There is a new word, coined within few months, called fanatics, which, by the close stickling thereof, seemeth well cut out and proportioned to signify what is meant thereby, even th…

Excessive enthusiasm, unreasoning zeal, or wild and extravagant notions, on any subject, especially religion; religious frenzy.