EARNEST Ear"nest, n. Etym: [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. oriri to rise.]
Defn: Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness;
intentness.
Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sir P.
Sidney.
And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak.
In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
EARNEST
Ear"nest, a.
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. [Obs.] They whom earnest lets do often hinder. Hooker.
Syn. — Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.
EARNEST
Ear"nest, v. t.
Defn: To use in earnest. [R.]
To earnest them [our arms] with men. Pastor Fido (1602).
EARNEST
Ear"nest, n. Etym: [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha,
arrhabo, Gr. ; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr.
L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.]