Revised 2018
† zelantnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zelant mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zelant. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the early 1600s.
Where does the noun zelant come from?
Earliest known use
early 1600s
The only known use of the noun zelant is in the early 1600s.
OED's earliest evidence for zelant is from 1624, in a translation by John Vicars, chronicler and poet.
zelant is a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Latin zelant-, zelans, zelare.
Nearby entries
- zeeping, adj.1895–
- zef, adj.1990–
- zegadine, n.1651–
- zeilanite, n.1815–
- zein, n.1820–
- Zeiss, n.1876–
- zeitgeber, n.1958–
- zeitgeist, n.1848–
- zeitgeisty, adj.1966–
- zek, n.1968–
- zelant, n.1624–26
- zelatrice, n.1874–
- zelatrix, n.1865–
- Zeldovich, n.1956–
- Zelig, n.1984–
- Zelig-like, adj.1983–
- zelkova, n.1836–
- zelotypia, n.1566–
- zelotyping, adj.a1660
- zelotypist, n.?1632
- zelotypy, n.1623–1794
Etymology
Summary
A borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: Latin zelant-, zelans, zelare.
< post-classical Latin zelant-, zelans zealot (from c1000 in British sources), use as noun of present participle of zelare zeal v.…
< post-classical Latin zelant-, zelans zealot (from c1000 in British sources), use as noun of present participle of zelare zeal v.
Notes
Compare Italian zelante zealous (14th cent.; 1612 depreciatively ‘excessively zealous’).
With the formal variation compare discussion at zealator n.
Meaning & use
Obsolete.
- 1624–26A zealot.
- 1624
A poore drop of Christs his blood most pure, This zealant [Latin sedulus] Bottles-vp.
J. Vicars, translation of G. Goodwin, Babels Balm x. 106 - 1625
To certaine Zelants all Speech of Pacification is odious.
F. Bacon, Essayes (new edition) 13 - a1626
Eusebius beareth the Character of a Moderate Diuine. Gamaliel of a Protestant Zelant. Zebedaeus of a Romish Catholike Zelant.
F. Bacon, Advt. Holy Warre in Certaine Miscellaneous Works (1629) 93
- Cananaean1483–An epithet given to the apostle Simon; = Canaanite, n.¹ A.2.
- votary1576–A devoted or zealous worshipper of a particular god, goddess, saint, or other person. Frequently with of or possessive. Now chiefly historical.
- Canaanite1611–An epithet given to the apostle Simon. (See the etymology section.)
- spiritato1613–98A person considered to exhibit excessive religious fervour; a religious zealot or fanatic. Cf. enthusiast, n. 1b.
- zealist1614–A zealot.
- zelant1624–26A zealot.
- zeal1631–47In extended use. A zealous person; a zealot. Obsolete.
- religionist1651–A person devoted to religion; an excessively religious person, a zealot. Also: a person professionally occupied with religion, as a minister or…
- ecstatic1659–One who is subject to fits of ecstasy (see ecstasy, n. 2, 3).
- rapturist1665–A person who has or goes into raptures; an enthusiast.
- religioner1808–A person bound by religious vows; (more generally) a person devoted to a religious life, a religious person.
- subject1820A person under the influence of religious emotion. Obsolete. rare.
- voteen1825–A devout or zealously religious person, a devotee. Also (esp. in later use): a sanctimonious or ostentatiously pious person.
- zealator1867–A zealot (see zealot, n.); esp. a person who is excessively, immoderately, or fanatically devoted to a cause or ideal, esp. a religious or…
Forms
Variant forms
- 1600szealant, zelant