Zeal ,
n. [F. zèle; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. >, probably akin to > to boil. Cf. Yeast, Jealous.]1913 Webster
- Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor. “Ambition varnished o'er with zeal.” Milton. “Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.” Dryden. “Zeal's never-dying fire.” Keble.
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I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom. x. 2.
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A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established.
Johnson.
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- A zealot. [Obs.]
B. Jonson.
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