zealotryhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealotry_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezealotry, n.
Revised 2018

zealotrynoun

  1. 1653–
    Behaviour or belief characteristic or typical of a zealot; esp. immoderate or fanatical devotion to a religious or political cause or ideal. Also: an instance of this.
    1. 1653
      Great zealotries for some new form and way of constituting, disciplining, and governing Churches.
      J. Gauden, Hieraspistes 69
    2. 1656
      Some mens and womens more plebeian Zelotry.
      Discourse of Auxiliary Beauty 63
    3. 1711
      According to which damnable Notion of false Zealotry, when they Consecrate an Assassin..to Murder an Heretick Prince, they Solemnly Consecrate him to the Work of the Lord.
      Fanatical Moderation 33
    4. 1797
      The ecstasy of eulogy and the zealotry of panegyric.
      Monthly Review vol. 23 (App.) 573
    5. 1839
      A more apostolic fervour of holy zealotry in this great cause.
      T. De Quincey, Lake Reminisc. in Tait's Edinburgh Magazine February 102/1
    6. 1898
      A bigot whose zealotry could not be pierced with sentiments of patriotism.
      J. E. C. Bodley, France vol. II. iii. vi. 316
    7. 1940
      A ruthlessness and a zealotry that will go to any lengths to cripple an enemy.
      M. Lerner in W. Waller, War in 20th Century 422
    8. 1984
      A different form of religious and nationalist zealotry drives the..movement's settlers.
      Winnipeg Free Press 13 March 8/2
    9. 2015
      Their stories envision a world..where decisions are not driven primarily by greed, power lust, or zealotry.
      Journal of American Folklore vol. 128 322

zealotry, n. was revised in June 2018.

zealotry, n. was last modified in July 2023.