GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Earnest , n. [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. ὀρνύναι to excite, L. oriri to rise.] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
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   Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.
   Sir P. Sidney.
   
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   And given in earnest what I begged in jest.
   Shak.
   
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   In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
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2.       
   Earnest, a.
   Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
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   An earnest advocate to plead for him.
   Shak.
   
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   Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
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   Serious; important. [Obs.]
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   They whom earnest lets do often hinder.
   Hooker.
   Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.
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3.       
   Earnest, v. t. To use in earnest. [R.]
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   To earnest them [our arms] with men.
   Pastor Fido (1602).
   
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4.       
   Earnest, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. ἀρραβών, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. ērāvōn; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.]
   Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
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   Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
   2 Cor. i. 22.
   
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   And from his coffers
   Received the golden earnest of our death.
   Shak.
   
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   (Law) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.
   Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin.
   
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   Earnest money (Law), money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.
   Syn. -- Earnest, Pledge. These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.
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