Lexic.us

Definition of Earnest

1. Noun. Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract.

2. Adjective. Characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions. "A film with a solemn social message"

3. Adjective. Earnest. "Heartfelt condolences"

4. Adjective. Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal.

Definition of Earnest

1. n. Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

2. 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.

3. v. t. To use in earnest.

4. n. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.

Definition of Earnest

1. Proper noun. (given name male from=Germanic), an occasional spelling variant of Ernest. ¹

2. Noun. Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness. ¹

3. Noun. Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive) To be serious with; use in earnest. ¹

5. Adjective. Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant. ¹

6. Adjective. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, '''''earnest''' prayers''. ¹

7. Adjective. Intent; fixed closely; as, '''''earnest''' attention''. ¹

8. Adjective. Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent. ¹

9. Adjective. Strenuous; diligent. ¹

10. Adjective. Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important. ¹

11. Noun. A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Earnest

1. a down payment [n -S]

Medical Definition of Earnest

1. 1. 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. "An earnest advocate to plead for him." (Shak) 2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. 3. Serious; important. "They whom earnest lets do often hinder." (Hooker) Synonym: Eager, warm, zealous, ardent, animated, importunate, fervent, sincere, serious, hearty, urgent. See Eager. 1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come. "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Cor. I. 22) "And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death." (Shak) 2. Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Earnest money, money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale. Synonym: 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. Origin: Prob. Corrupted fr. F. Arrhes, L. Arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. Ravn; or perh. Fr. W. Ernes, akin to Gael. Earlas, perh. Fr. L. Arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Earnest

earmould earmoulds earmuff earmuffed earmuffs earn earn a living earn one's keep earned earned media

earned run earned run average earned runs earner earners earnest (current term) earnest money earnester earnestest earnestful

earnestly earnestness earnestnesses earnests earneth earnful earning earning per share earnings earnings report

Literary usage of Earnest

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1891)
"... sanctioned by Henry against the rebellious Welsh was in accordance with the earnest petitions of the commons. Henry himself showed a more conciliatory ..."

2. Publications (1848)
"... and yet lick the dust of the church's feet ? as it is there expressed.* Thirdly, God's Israel of old were earnest with God for Ood'« 1«ra<.1 » earnest ..."

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