zeal

English

/ziːl/, /zil/

noun
Definitions
  • The fervour or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal and determination in its furtherance; diligent enthusiasm; powerful interest.
  • (obsolete) A person who exhibits such fervour or tireless devotion.
  • The collective noun for a group of zebras.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English zele derived from Old French zel derived from Latin zēlus (zeal) derived from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zeal, jealousy, eager rivalry, jealous).

Origin

Ancient Greek

ζῆλος

Gloss

zeal, jealousy, eager rivalry, jealous

Concept
Semantic Field

Emotions and values

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms