zeal, v.

zeal
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeal_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# † zealverb

## Earlier version

- zeal, v. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the verb zeal mean?

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

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the late 1600s.

### Where does the verb zeal come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1500s

The earliest known use of the verb zeal is in the mid 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zeal is from 1542, in a translation by Nicholas Udall, schoolmaster and playwright.

It is also recorded as a noun from the Middle English period (1150—1500).

zeal is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: Latin zelare; zeal n.

### Nearby entries

1. Z band, n. 1950–
2. ZBB, n. 1976–
3. Z-bed, n. 1973–
4. Z-car, n. 1961–
5. Z-day, n. 1925–
6. Z-DNA, n. 1979–
7. ze, pron. 1864–
8. zea, n. 1562–
9. zeagonite, n. 1823–
10. zeal, n. a1382–
11. zeal, v.1542–1687
12. Zealander, n.¹ 1663–
13. Zealander, n.² 1773–
14. Zealandic, adj. 1807–
15. Zealandish, adj. 1684–
16. zealator, n. a1464–
17. zeal-blind, adj. 1615–1898
18. zeal-consuming, adj. 1629–1882
19. zealed, adj. 1679–1903
20. zealer, n.?a1450–1673
21. zealful, adj. 1602–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly formed within English, by conversion.
Etymons: Latin zelare; zeal n.
Partly (i) < post-classical Latin zelare (transitive) to be jealous of, covet, to love with a jealous love, to be jealous for (Vetus Latina), (intransitive) to be jealous (4th cent. in Augustine) <…
Partly (i) < post-classical Latin zelare (transitive) to be jealous of, covet, to love with a jealous love, to be jealous for (Vetus Latina), (intransitive) to be jealous (4th cent. in Augustine) < ancient Greek ζηλοῦν to emulate, to be jealous of, envy, to desire, strive after < ζῆλος zeal n.,

and partly (ii) < zeal n.

Compare earlier zealing adj.

### Notes

Compare post-classical Latin zelari (deponent) to be jealous (Vetus Latina, Vulgate), (transitive) to love with a jealous love, be zealous for (Vulgate), to envy, be jealous of (4th cent.). Compare also Middle French zeler, French †zéler to be zealous (for a person or in support of a cause) (late 15th cent.), to have a great desire for (something) (16th cent.).

## Meaning & use

Obsolete.

1. 1. 1.a.
      1542–1687
      transitive. To pursue (an objective) with zeal or passionate enthusiasm; to be zealous in support of (a cause, belief, etc.).
      1. 1542

         > A notable exaumple of sapience with whole herte & mynde, feruently desired and zeled [Latin insigne exemplum adamatae sapientiae].

         N. Udall, translation of Erasmus, Apophthegmes i. 69
      2. 1610

         > Zeale [Latin zelare] not death in the errour of your life.

         Bible (Douay) vol. II. Wisdom i. 12
      3. 1623

         > Blesse and prosper it to both yourselves and to all that truely zeale your truest prosperities.

         Sir R. Naunton in S. R. Gardiner, Fortescue Papers (1871) 193
      4. 1687

         > Subjects, not Zealing now, as formerly, their Prince's Glory, contribute less to the Augmentation of it.

         T. Codrington, Serm. before their Majesties 17
      1. to run after —— c1422–
         intransitive. To follow or take up with (something) eagerly, enthusiastically, or impulsively.
      2. zeal 1542–1687
         transitive. To pursue (an objective) with zeal or passionate enthusiasm; to be zealous in support of (a cause, belief, etc.).
      3. to throw one's heart (also soul, energy, etc.) into 1807–
         to throw one's heart (also soul, energy, etc.) into: to engage in with great enthusiasm or determination; to commit oneself wholeheartedly to. Cf. t…
      4. to go mad (about, for, over, etc.) 1850–
         to go mad (about, for, over, etc.): to allow oneself to be carried away by enthusiasm or excitement.
      5. to be shook on 1888–
         Australian and New Zealand slang. to be shook on: have an infatuation for. Also, less strongly, to be keen on, to be impressed by, to admire, and…
      6. to be hepped on 1926–
         to be hepped on: to be enthusiastic or fanatical about; to be very keen on.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. zeal 1542–1687
         transitive. To pursue (an objective) with zeal or passionate enthusiasm; to be zealous in support of (a cause, belief, etc.).
      2. to be (dead) nuts on (also upon) 1785–
         Chiefly British. to be (dead) nuts on (also upon): to be infatuated with or fond of (a person); to be enthusiastic about, hold in high esteem (a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1.b.
      a1626
      intransitive. To act zealously; to demonstrate zeal; to be zealous for or in support of a cause, etc.
      1. a1626

         > Stiffe fellowes, and such as zeale marvellously for those whom they have chosen to bee their masters.

         F. Bacon, Wise & Moderate Disc. Church Affaires (1641) 19
      1. zeal a1626
         intransitive. To act zealously; to demonstrate zeal; to be zealous for or in support of a cause, etc.
      2. to warm (up) to 1749–
         To become eager, animated, or enthusiastic. Also, with up. to warm (up) to: to become interested in, acquire zest for, to ‘put one's back into’…
      3. enthuse 1864–
         intransitive. To grow enthusiastic; to behave enthusiastically; to display or express enthusiasm. In later use: to express enjoyment, interest, or…
      4. schwärm 1913–
         intransitive. To feel or display enthusiasm or passion.
      5. to wax lyrical 1965–
         Excitedly effusive; highly enthusiastic, fervent. Frequently in to wax lyrical. colloquial (originally U.S.).
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1549–1642
   transitive. To inspire (a person) with zeal; to cause to become more zealous.
   1. 1549

      > Men zealed toward god, but not fit to iudge.

      J. Cheke, Hurt of Sedicion sig. G7
   2. 1642

      > They will..stirre up an earnestnesse in them in religion, as zealing their owne being opposed by falshood.

      D. Featley, Vertumnus Romanus 85
   1. zeal 1549–1642
      transitive. To inspire (a person) with zeal; to cause to become more zealous.
   2. warm c1580–
      In various figurative uses. To render eager or zealous; to rouse from indifference, esp. to put (an audience) into a receptive mood. Also absol.…
   3. to light up 1712–
      transitive. To fill (a person, the soul, etc.) with excitement or enthusiasm; to animate; to energize. Also: to inspire or stimulate (the…
   4. enthuse 1844–
      transitive. To fill (a person or group) with enthusiasm; to inspire enthusiasm within (a person or group); to make enthusiastic.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1500s
   zele
2. 1500s–1700s
   zeal
3. 1600s
   zeale

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zealing, adj. 1459–1602
   Zealous.

1. zealed, adj. 1679–1903
   Zealous; demonstrating or characterized by zeal…

zeal, v. was revised in June 2018.

zeal, v. was last modified in December 2023.