GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Enthusiasm (?), n. [Gr. , fr. to be inspired or possessed by the god, fr. , , inspired: cf. enthousiasme. See Entheal, Theism.]
1. Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power; ecstasy; hence, a conceit of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some divine impulse.
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Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed or overweening imagination. Locke.
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2. A state of impassioned emotion; transport; elevation of fancy; exaltation of soul; as, “the poetry of enthusiasm”.
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Resolutions adopted in enthusiasm are often repented of when excitement has been succeeded by the wearing duties of hard everyday routine. Froude.
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Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating shrewdness. Bancroft.
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3. Enkindled and kindling fervor of soul; strong excitement of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject; ardent and imaginative zeal or interest; as, “he engaged in his profession with enthusiasm”.
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Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Emerson.
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4. Lively manifestation of joy or zeal.
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Philip was greeted with a tumultuous enthusiasm. Prescott.
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