Defn: A genus of large grasses of which the Indian corn (Zea Mays) is the only species known. Its origin is not yet ascertained. See Maize.
ZEAL Zeal, n. Etym: [F. zèle; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. Yeast, Jealous.]
1. 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. I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Rom. x. 2. A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established. Johnson.
2. A zealot. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
ZEAL
Zeal, v. i.
Defn: To be zealous. [Obs. & R.] Bacon.
ZEALANT
Zeal"ant, n.
Defn: One who is zealous; a zealot; an enthusiast. [Obs.]
To certain zealants, all speech of pacification is odious. Bacon.
ZEALED
Zealed, a.
Defn: Full of zeal; characterized by zeal. [Obs.] "Zealed religion."
Beau. & Fl.