zealing, adj.

zealing
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealing_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# † zealingadjective

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zealing mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zealing. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

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

### Where does the adjective zealing come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

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

OED's earliest evidence for zealing is from 1459, in Rolls of Parliament: Henry VI.

zealing is probably formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zeal n., ‑ing suffix2; zeal v., ‑ing suffix2.

### Nearby entries

1. Zealander, n.² 1773–
2. Zealandic, adj. 1807–
3. Zealandish, adj. 1684–
4. zealator, n. a1464–
5. zeal-blind, adj. 1615–1898
6. zeal-consuming, adj. 1629–1882
7. zealed, adj. 1679–1903
8. zealer, n.?a1450–1673
9. zealful, adj. 1602–
10. zeal-inflamed, adj. 1648–
11. zealing, adj.1459–1602
12. zealist, n. 1614–
13. zealless, adj. a1594–
14. zealot, n. & adj. a1400–
15. zealotic, adj. 1657–
16. zealotical, adj. 1630–
17. zealotism, n. 1645–
18. zealotist, n. & adj. 1593–
19. zealotry, n. 1653–
20. zealous, adj.?1495–
21. zealously, adv.?1495–

## Etymology

### Summary

Probably formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zeal n., ‑ing suffix2; zeal v., ‑ing suffix2.
Probably partly < zeal n. + ‑ing suffix2,

and partly (in later use) < zeal v. + ‑ing suffix2.

Compare zealous adj.

## Meaning & use

Obsolete. rare.

1. 1459–1602
   Zealous.
   In quot. 1602 in figurative context.
   1. 1459

      > Subtily coloured, and feyned zelyng justice.

      Rolls of Parliament: Henry VI (Electronic edition) Parl. November 1459 §18. m. 3
   2. 1602

      > A faire seeming..fountaine of zealing christall streames.

      W. Watson, Decacordon of Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 68
   1. needful Old English–1230
      Earnest, eager.
   2. anguishous?c1225–1500
      Eager, zealous, ardent.
   3. eager?a1300–
      Of a person: full of keen desire or appetite; impatiently longing to do or obtain something. With infinitive expressing the desired action. Keen…
   4. thro c1330–1540
      Keen, eager, zealous, earnest.
   5. fierce 1377–
      Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. †Const. for, to, upon, and to with infinitive.
   6. desirous a1393–1661
      Very willing, eager, zealous. Esp. in desirous in arms and variants: ready and eager to fight, courageous. Obsolete.
   7. affectuous a1400–1680
      Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete.
   8. yeverous a1400–1907
      Eager, impetuous.
   9. inward c1402–1627
      Conceived in or coming from one's inmost heart; deeply felt, heartfelt; hence, earnest, fervent.
   10. earnestful?1406–1563
       Showing sincere and intense feeling or conviction, serious; = earnest, adj. 1.
   11. rathe?c1450
       Of a person or his or her actions: quick, prompt; eager, vehement.
   12. zealing 1459–1602
       Zealous.
   13. incre c1480
       Earnest, fervent, eager, hearty.
   14. affectual 1483–1581
       Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete.
   15. zealous 1526–
       Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
   16. affectioned a1533–1623
       Eager, ambitious; zealous. Obsolete.
   17. jealous 1535–1661
       Vehement in feeling, as in wrath, desire, or devotion. Devoted, eager, zealous. Obsolete.
   18. hearty c1540–
       Energetic or thorough in one's actions or desires; zealous, eager, fervent. In early use frequently with for, to.
   19. affective c1550
       Earnest, zealous. Obsolete. rare.
   20. earnest 1563
       Of an action or words: proceeding from or implying intensity of feeling or conviction; serious, lacking humour or levity.
   21. forward 1570–
       Ardent, spirited, zealous, esp. in an action or cause; (esp. in military contexts, of a person or an approach) bold, favouring vigorous aggressive…
   22. pricking 1575
       That presses forward; keen, eager. Obsolete. rare.
   23. affectionate 1598–1750
       Eager, ambitious, earnest. Obsolete.
   24. passiveless 1602–54
       Not passive.
   25. zealful 1602–
       Full of or inspired by zeal; characterized by passionate enthusiasm; zealous.
   26. full-hearted a1616–
       Full of spirit, courage, etc.; wholehearted; (of an action) carried out with the greatest possible enthusiasm, commitment, etc.
   27. wholehearted 1644–
       Of a person: completely devoted or committed; totally sincere.
   28. intense 1645–
       Of personal, esp. mental, action, etc.: Strained or strenuously directed to some end; intent, eager, earnest, ardent. (Often not distinguished…
   29. high 1649–1721
       Zealous, eager, keen. Esp. with for. Obsolete.
   30. covetous 1652–
       Of actions: Eager.
   31. thorough-hearted 1656–1913
       Wholehearted, entirely devoted.
   32. keen as mustard 1659–
       In similative and proverbial phrases, esp. with reference to the heat or pungency of mustard. hot (also strong) as mustard: very powerful or…
   33. fell 1667–1888
       With for, on, †to. Obsolete.
   34. fervent 1673
       Of persons, their passions, dispositions, or actions: Ardent, intensely earnest. From 17th cent. almost exclusively with reference to love or…
   35. smirk 1674
       Eager, ardent. Obsolete. rare.
   36. zealed 1679–1903
       Zealous; demonstrating or characterized by zeal. Cf. over-zealed, adj.
   37. prest 1697
       Ready in mind, disposition, or will, esp. for something or to do something; inclined, disposed, willing; eager, keen, prompt.
   38. strenuous 1713–
       Zealous, earnest, ‘strong’ as a partisan or opponent. Obsolete except as contextual use of sense 1.
   39. enthusiastic 1741–
       Characterized by, having, or displaying passion or zeal for a cause or principle, or in pursuing an activity or objective; ardent, keen, avid. Of…
   40. enthusiastical 1755–
       Full of or characterized by passion, eagerness, or keen interest; ardent, avid; energetic. Cf. enthusiastic, adj. A.3a, A.3b. Now rare.
   41. zeal-worthy 1797
       Deserving of zeal or enthusiasm.
   42. whole-souled 1821–
       = wholehearted, adj. 2.
   43. con amore 1828–
       Quasi-adj. Friendly, hearty.
   44. lyrical 1875–
       Excitedly effusive; highly enthusiastic, fervent. Frequently in to wax lyrical. colloquial (originally U.S.).
   45. mustard 1891–
       Of the colour of mustard; dark brownish yellow.
   46. gung ho 1942–
       A slogan adopted in the war of 1939–1945 by the United States Marines under General E. Carlson (1896–1947); hence as adj.: enthusiastic, eager…
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## Forms

### Variant forms

1. late Middle English
   zelyng
2. 1600s
   zealing

Originally published as part of the entry for zeal, v.

zealing, adj. was revised in June 2018.

zealing, adj. was last modified in July 2023.