zealot, n. & adj.

zealot
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealot_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zealotnoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- zealot in OED Second Edition (1989)

## In other dictionaries

- Zēlōt(e, n. in Middle English Dictionary

## Factsheet

### What does the word zealot mean?

There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zealot. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zealot has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

Roman history (mid 1500s) Judaism (mid 1500s) religion (mid 1600s)

### How common is the word zealot?

About 0.7occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 3.0
1760 | 3.0
1770 | 2.8
1780 | 2.8
1790 | 2.7
1800 | 2.7
1810 | 2.4
1820 | 2.4
1830 | 2.2
1840 | 2.0
1850 | 1.7
1860 | 1.5
1870 | 1.4
1880 | 1.2
1890 | 1.1
1900 | 0.93
1910 | 0.85
1920 | 0.8
1930 | 0.77
1940 | 0.78
1950 | 0.76
1960 | 0.72
1970 | 0.69
1980 | 0.68
1990 | 0.68
2000 | 0.68
2010 | 0.71

### How is the word zealot pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɛlət/
ZEL-uht

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɛlət/
ZEL-uht

### Where does the word zealot come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the word zealot is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for zealot is from before 1400, in Cursor Mundi: a Northumbrian poem of the 14th century.

zealot is a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Latin zelotes.

### Nearby entries

1. zealator, n. a1464–
2. zeal-blind, adj. 1615–1898
3. zeal-consuming, adj. 1629–1882
4. zealed, adj. 1679–1903
5. zealer, n.?a1450–1673
6. zealful, adj. 1602–
7. zeal-inflamed, adj. 1648–
8. zealing, adj. 1459–1602
9. zealist, n. 1614–
10. zealless, adj. a1594–
11. zealot, n. & adj.a1400–
12. zealotic, adj. 1657–
13. zealotical, adj. 1630–
14. zealotism, n. 1645–
15. zealotist, n. & adj. 1593–
16. zealotry, n. 1653–
17. zealous, adj.?1495–
18. zealously, adv.?1495–
19. zealousness, n. c1555–
20. zealousy, n. 1542–
21. zeal-pretending, adj. 1652–69

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Latin.
Etymon: Latin zelotes.
< post-classical Latin zelotes epithet of the apostle Simon, member of a Jewish movement advocating fierce resistance to Roman rule (Vetus Latina, Vulgate), (of God) jealous (Vulgate; early 3rd cent…
< post-classical Latin zelotes epithet of the apostle Simon, member of a Jewish movement advocating fierce resistance to Roman rule (Vetus Latina, Vulgate), (of God) jealous (Vulgate; early 3rd cent. in Tertullian) < ancient Greek ζηλωτής zealous admirer or follower, in Hellenistic Greek also epithet of the apostle Simon, member of a Jewish movement advocating fierce resistance to Roman rule, (of God) jealous < ζηλοῦν to be zealous (see zeal v.) + ‑ωτής ‑ote suffix.

### Notes

Specific senses
In senses A.1 and A.2 ultimately after Aramaic qan'ānā, emphatic form of qan’ān (adjective) full of enthusiasm, (noun) zealot; see discussion at Canaanite n.1 & adj. Some scholars have suggested that the Jewish movement originated not long before the rebellion of a.d. 66–70, so that the apostle Simon could not have been one of its members; instead they suggest that Simon was so called because he was a zealous disciple of Jesus. However, other scholars have argued that the movement ultimately goes back as far as the first decades a.d., having its origin in the revolt of Judas of Galilee (referred to in Acts 5:37) during Jesus's lifetime.
Specific forms
The β forms reflect assimilation to zeal n.

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1.
      a1400–
      An epithet given to the apostle Simon. (See note in etymology.) Cf. Canaanite n.1 A.2, Cananaean n. A.1a.
      In quot. c1384 as a proper name.
      1. [(c1384)

         > He..chees twelue of hem, whiche he clepide..Petre, and Andrew..Alphei, and Symound, that is clepid Zelotis [Latin Zelotes], [etc.].

         Bible (Wycliffite, early version) (Douce MS. 369(2)) (1850) Luke vi. 15]
         [Composed c1384]
      2. a1400 (a1325)

         > [S]ymon zelote.

         Cursor Mundi (Vespasian MS.) l. 21165
         [Composed a1325]
      3. 1653

         > Paul beheaded under Nero, Peter stoned, Simon Zelot crucified in Britain.

         S. Richardson, Plain Dealing 5
      4. 1716

         > There is a Tomb in a Grot, with an Inscription, That Simon the Zealot, or Cananite was interr'd there.

         Lives Holy Apostles 196
      5. 1874

         > James the ‘Less’, and Jude his brother; Simon Zealot, and that other.

         Dayspring (Boston) May 96/1
      6. 1917

         > If Simon the Zealot was connected with the earlier activity of the party from which his title seems to have been derived, he was a man in middle life.

         Biblical World vol. 50 6/1
      7. 2005

         > A slightly different recension..specifies Simon's identity with Simon the Cananaean and Simon the Zealot.

         Harvard Theol. Review vol. 98 457
   2. 2.
      1537–
      Chiefly with capital initial. A member of a Jewish movement in Roman Palestine which advocated fierce resistance to Roman rule and played a significant part in the rebellion of a.d. 66–70. historical.
      1. 1537

         > Zelotes or Gelous secte. These were suttyll and sedicious rascals amonge the Iewes of Ierusalem.

         translation of Original & Sprynge of All Sectes f. 55v
      2. 1644

         > Of resisting the lawfull magistrate under colour of religion... Also, of the Zelots among the Jewes.

         H. Hammond (title)
      3. 1671

         > That desperate Faction of the Zealots, who..soon put the whole Nation into Flames.

         E. Stillingfleet, Serm. Matt. xxi. 43 in Works (1710) vol. I. 107
      4. 1727

         > The chief of the Zealots were Eleazer, the son of Simon, and Zachariah, the son of Phalek, both of the sacerdotal line.

         H. Herbert, translation of C. Fleury, Ecclesiastical History vol. I. ii. 117
      5. 1766

         > This is a true account of the sect of the zealots; tho' whatever St. Simon was before, we have no reason to suspect, but after his conversion, he was very zealous for the honour of his Master.

         J. Fleetwood, Life Jesus Christ 414/1
      6. 1831

         > The persons who were called Zealots, from their zeal for the national religion and independence.

         E. Burton, Lectures upon Ecclesiastical History i. i. 11
      7. 1882

         > The Zealots formed the ‘extreme left’ division of the Pharisees politically, as the Essenes did religiously.

         F. W. Farrar, Early Days of Christianity vol. II. 111 (note)
      8. 1915

         > Might it not be argued that in the time of Jesus..it was the Zealots who came forward as the protesting minority?

         American Journal Theology vol. 19 460
      9. 1985

         > As Josephus makes explicit, it was a coalition of precisely such brigand groups which moved into Jerusalem in the winter of 67–68 and formed the party called the Zealots.

         R. A. Horsley, Bandits, Prophets & Messiahs ii. 83
      10. 2007

          > The Zealots were hostile even to Jews who sought reconciliation with pagan and polytheistic Rome.

          Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 16 April a3
      Roman history Judaism historical
      1. zealot 1537–
         Chiefly with capital initial. A member of a Jewish movement in Roman Palestine which advocated fierce resistance to Roman rule and played a…
      2. Canaanite 1611–
         An epithet given to the apostle Simon. (See the etymology section.)
      3. Cananaean 1886–
         Chiefly in plural. A member of a Jewish sect in Palestine during the 1st cent. a.d., that advocated the overthrow of Roman rule; = zealot, n. A.2.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1596–
      A person who is zealously, fervently or passionately devoted to a cause or belief, or to the pursuit of an objective or outcome. Frequently (and now usually) with disparaging implication: a person who is excessively, immoderately, or fanatically devoted to a cause or ideal, esp. a religious or political one. Sometimes with for (formerly also †of, to).
      In the 17th cent., sometimes with reference to excessive puritanical zeal; cf. zeal n. 2, zealous adj. 2c.
      1. 1596–1600

         > In his allegoricall sermon, wha war seditious zelateis of the glorie of God, sum of thayme he reprehendit wha war to slak and shew not sik curage as thair predicessors.

         in A. I. Cameron, Warrender Papers (1932) vol. II. 421
      2. a1638

         > The true Zealot whom God approveth, namely, He whose Spirit is in Fervency and not in Shew.

         J. Mede, Disc. Divers Texts lii, in Works (1672) i. 300
      3. 1651

         > Though they continue still such great Zelotts to their own Country..they are not so to the Church.

         J. Howell, S.P.Q.V. 5
      4. c1665

         > The more religious zelotts who afterward were branded with the name of Puritane.

         L. Hutchinson, Memoirs Colonel Hutchinson (1973) 38
      5. 1706

         > Zelot..is often taken in an ill Sense, for a Separatist or Schismatick, a Fanatick.

         Phillips's New World of Words (new edition)
      6. 1758

         > Slavery is now no where more patiently endured, than in countries once inhabited by the Zealots of Liberty.

         S. Johnson, Idler in Universal Chron. 24 June
      7. 1827

         > The queen [sc. Elizabeth I] was as a mark for the pistol or dagger of every zealot.

         H. Hallam, Constitutional History of England vol. I. iii. 168
      8. 1851

         > A horde of Methodists, Baptists, Campbellites, and other burning zealots.

         Household Words vol. 3 386/2
      9. 1892

         > They are both zealots of the rod [i.e. keen anglers].

         G. Meredith, Letters (1912) vol. II. 448
      10. 1938

          > His is the face of a zealot..and he has a zealot's unpleasant defects.

          Nebraska State Journal 14 November 4/1
      11. 1979

          > He is a zealot for quality, driving fifty miles..to pick up four cartons of a superior watercress.

          S. Marcus, Quest for Best iv. 64
      12. 2011

          > Alcohol consumers, fast-food restaurants, gun owners—who will the zealots target next?

          State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois) (Nexis) 26 June
      1. zealator a1464–1918
         A person who zealously promotes or furthers a cause, belief, etc.; a zealous defender or supporter of something. Obsolete (rare after 17th cent.).
      2. zealotist 1593–
         A zealot (in either sense A.2 or sense A.3 of the noun). Cf. zealotism, n.
      3. zealot 1596–
         A person who is zealously, fervently or passionately devoted to a cause or belief, or to the pursuit of an objective or outcome. Frequently (and…
      4. zealist 1614–
         A zealot.
      5. zeal 1631–47
         In extended use. A zealous person; a zealot. Obsolete.
      6. zelotypist?1632
         A person given to or characterized by excessive jealousy.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. adjective
   1. 1641–
      That is a zealot; characteristic of a zealot or zealots.
      Some early examples may be regarded as attributive or appositive uses of the noun.
      1. 1641

         > Broken taxations are payable to Princes against the opinion of Pharisaicall zelot Galilaeans.

         E. Kellett, Tricoenium Christi sig. a2
      2. 1711

         > Our Gentleman by these Expressions had already given considerable Offence to his Zealot-Auditors.

         Lord Shaftesbury, Characteristicks vol. III. Misc. v. iii. 321
      3. 1786

         > For the zealot Jews, full of theocratic ideas, were forward to conclude, that their Christian privileges absolved them from obedience to civil government.

         R. Hurd, Serm. before Lords 6
      4. 1845

         > I would not have the zealot priest in white robes at my side.

         E. Cook, Poems 2nd Series 94
      5. 1879

         > It was not likely that at Rome there should be any of that zealot fanaticism which held it unlawful for a Jew to recognise any other earthly ruler besides God.

         F. W. Farrar, Life & Work of St. Paul vol. II. ix. xxxix. 262
      6. 1889

         > He..was a sort of Saint Paul of the movement, more zealot after his conversion than anybody else.

         Lippincott's Monthly Magazine December 825
      7. 1907

         > A thousand times his zealot imagination had pictured the recreant clergyman..as an outcast.

         H. E. Rives, Satan Sanderson xxxix. 332
      8. 1975

         > A zealot faith out of step with and unadaptable to our technological age.

         Newport (Rhode Island) Daily News 25 November 4/1
      9. 2003

         > Some of the great spiritual fathers have passed on. Younger men, sometimes more zealot, have taken their place.

         M. B. Pennington, Monks Mount Athos (Jubilee edition) Preface p. xxiii.
      religion
      1. frenetic?c1550–
         Of a person: wildly excited; frantic, furious; overenthusiastic; (in religious matters) fanatical. Also figurative. Cf. frantic, adj. A.2.
      2. seraphical 1581–
         Resembling what pertains to the seraphim; rapturous, ecstatically devout.
      3. frenetical 1588–
         Delirious; frenzied; mentally deranged, insane; fanatical.
      4. ecstatical 1600–
         = ecstatic, adj.
      5. zealot 1641–
         That is a zealot; characteristic of a zealot or zealots.
      6. ecstatic 1645–
         Of the nature of trance, catalepsy, mystical absorption, stupor, or frenzy (see ecstasy, n. 1–3); accompanied by or producing these conditions. Of…
      7. rapturous 1656–
         Of a thing: characterized by or expressive of rapture.
      8. vowed 1665
         Of persons. transferred. Pertaining to a devotee. Obsolete. rare.
      9. seraphic a1668–
         Of discourse, actions, appearance: showing ecstasy of devout contemplation.
      10. synagoguish 1690–
          Showing excessive zeal for the synagogue, fanatical.
      11. frantic?1715
          transferred. Affected by wild and ungovernable excitement; ‘mad’ with rage, pain, grief, etc. †Also, in early use, applied as a term of reproach…
      12. solid 1740–
          Marked or characterized by a high degree of religious fervour or seriousness.
      13. ecstasied 1787–
          Enraptured.
      14. religionistic 1842–
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. fanatical?1550–
         = fanatic, adj. A.2.
      2. zealotical 1630–
         Resembling a zealot; characterized by (excessive) zeal; typical or characteristic of a zealot or zealots. Cf. zealotic, adj. 1.
      3. zealot 1641–
         That is a zealot; characteristic of a zealot or zealots.
      4. zealotic 1657–
         Typical or characteristic of a zealot or zealots; characterized by (excessive) zeal.
      5. fanatic 1659–
         Of persons, their actions, attributes, etc.: Characterized, influenced, or prompted by excessive and mistaken enthusiasm, esp. in religious matters.
      6. synagoguish 1690–
         Showing excessive zeal for the synagogue, fanatical.
      7. unsaving 1714
         (un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
      8. swivel-eyed 1758–
         Of a person: (originally) having eyes pointing in different directions; having eyes which are rotating wildly. Hence: having a crazed or…
      9. hobby-horsical 1761–
         Belonging or devoted to a ‘hobby-horse’ or hobby, crotchety, whimsical.
      10. fanaticized 1827–
      11. lunatic fringe 1935–
          Chiefly disparaging or derogatory. Esp. of members of a political movement, or their beliefs: eccentric, extremist, fanatical.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɛlət/
ZEL-uht

### U.S. English

/ˈzɛlət/
ZEL-uht

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

##### α.

(a)

1. Middle English–1600s
   zelote
2. Middle English–1700s
   zelot
3. 1600s
   zelott

(b) Also Scottish

1. pre-1700
   zelateis (plural)

##### β.

1. 1500s–
   zealot

## Frequency

zealot typically occurs about 0.7 times per million words in modern written English.

zealot is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zealot, n. & adj., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 3.0
1760 | 3.0
1770 | 2.8
1780 | 2.8
1790 | 2.7
1800 | 2.7
1810 | 2.4
1820 | 2.4
1830 | 2.2
1840 | 2.0
1850 | 1.7
1860 | 1.5
1870 | 1.4
1880 | 1.2
1890 | 1.1
1900 | 0.93
1910 | 0.85
1920 | 0.8
1930 | 0.77
1940 | 0.78
1950 | 0.76
1960 | 0.72
1970 | 0.69
1980 | 0.68
1990 | 0.68
2000 | 0.68
2010 | 0.71

### Frequency of zealot, n. & adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.45
2018 | 0.44
2019 | 0.44
2020 | 0.45
2021 | 0.47
2022 | 0.45
2023 | 0.46
2024 | 0.47

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zealotical, adj. 1630–
   Resembling a zealot; characterized by (excessive)…

1. zealotism, n. 1645–
   Behaviour or belief characteristic of a zealot…

1. zealotry, n. 1653–
   Behaviour or belief characteristic or typical of…

1. zealotic, adj. 1657–
   Typical or characteristic of a zealot or zealots…

1. pseudo-zealot, n. 1680–1831

1. under-zealot, n. 1682–
   (under-, prefix¹ affix 3a.i.)

1. anti-zealot, n. 1702–

1. party zealot, n. 1712–

zealot, n. & adj. was revised in June 2018.

zealot, n. & adj. was last modified in September 2024.