zeal-blind, adj.

zeal-blind
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeal-blind_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# † zeal-blindadjective

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zeal-blind mean?

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

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1890s.

### Where does the adjective zeal-blind come from?

Earliest known use

early 1600s

The earliest known use of the adjective zeal-blind is in the early 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for zeal-blind is from 1615, in a text by Thomas Overbury, courtier and author, et al.

### Nearby entries

1. ze, pron. 1864–
2. zea, n. 1562–
3. zeagonite, n. 1823–
4. zeal, n. a1382–
5. zeal, v. 1542–1687
6. Zealander, n.¹ 1663–
7. Zealander, n.² 1773–
8. Zealandic, adj. 1807–
9. Zealandish, adj. 1684–
10. zealator, n. a1464–
11. zeal-blind, adj.1615–1898
12. zeal-consuming, adj. 1629–1882
13. zealed, adj. 1679–1903
14. zealer, n.?a1450–1673
15. zealful, adj. 1602–
16. zeal-inflamed, adj. 1648–
17. zealing, adj. 1459–1602
18. zealist, n. 1614–
19. zealless, adj. a1594–
20. zealot, n. & adj. a1400–
21. zealotic, adj. 1657–

## Meaning & use

Obsolete.

1. 1615–1898
   That has been deprived of discernment or mental perception as a result of (excessive) enthusiasm or zeal; (also) characterized by this.
   1. 1615

      > The hooke and crooke of his zeale-blind Shepheard.

      T. Overbury et al., New & Choise Characters with Wife (6th impr.) sig. I3
   2. 1764

      > Then rais'd almost to wrath, condemns the crimes Of Cromwell's zeal-blind days, and Charles's giddy times.

      B. Martin, Miscellaneous Correspondence vol. IV. 901/2
   3. 1898

      > Across the desert in the broiling sun a zeal-blind pénitente is dragging a cross.

      C. Warman, Story of Railroad viii. 91
   1. reckless Old English–
      Heedless of or indifferent to the consequences of one's actions; lacking in prudence or caution; willing or liable to take risks; rash…
   2. redmod Old English–1225
      Rash, quick to anger.
   3. unreckless?c1225
      Reckless, heedless. Cf. un-, prefix¹ affix 10a. Obsolete.
   4. hastive c1300–1525
      Characterized by excessive speed or urgency; rash; = hasty, adj. A.4.
   5. rackle c1300–
      Of a person: rash, impetuous, reckless; rough, crude. Also: sturdy in old age.
   6. testy c1374–1658
      Of headstrong courage; impetuous; precipitate, rash; in later use (passing into the next sense), Aggressive, contentious. Obsolete.
   7. rabbish a1387–1513
      Unruly; inconsiderate, rash or impetuous.
   8. temerary c1410–1650
      Rash, reckless; = temerarious, adj. 1.
   9. temerous 1461–
      Rash, foolhardy; = temerarious, adj. 1.
   10. rash 1509
       Hasty, impetuous; acting or speaking without due consideration or regard for consequences; reckless, thoughtless, foolhardy.
   11. temerarious 1532–
       Characterized by temerity; unreasonably adventurous; reckless, heedless, rash.
   12. hare-brained 1548–
       Having or showing no more ‘brains’ or sense than a hare; heedless, reckless; rash, wild, mad. Of persons, their actions, etc.
   13. temerare c1550–81
       = temerarious, adj. 1.
   14. hare-brain 1566–
       attributive or adj.= hare-brained, adj.
   15. hot-spurred 1573–
       = hotspur, adj.
   16. overrash 1577–
       Too rash; excessively rash.
   17. hotspur 1586–
       Of a fiery temperament; hasty, rash.
   18. madcap 1591–
       Mad, crazy; idiotic, wildly impulsive or extravagant; bizarre, zany.
   19. wretchless 1598–
       Of persons: Heedless, careless, imprudent; = reckless, adj.
   20. Phaetontic 1608–1853
       Of or relating to Phaethon; = Phaetonic, adj.
   21. zeal-blind 1615–1898
       That has been deprived of discernment or mental perception as a result of (excessive) enthusiasm or zeal; (also) characterized by this.
   22. Phaetontal 1617
       Of or relating to Phaethon; = Phaetonic, adj.
   23. unresponsable 1619–72
       = unresponsible, adj. (in various senses).
   24. Phaetontical 1630–94
       = Phaetonic, adj.
   25. phaetonical a1640
   26. Phaetonic 1708–
   27. hell-bent 1731–
       Usually in predicative use, with on, upon, or infinitive. Determined to achieve something at all costs; passionately or recklessly intent. Cf. bend…
   28. harum-scarum 1751–
       Reckless, careless, heedless in action; wild rash. (Of persons and their actions.)
   29. unresponsible 1764–
       Originally: that cannot be relied on; unreliable. Later more usually: reckless, imprudent, irresponsible.
   30. suicidal 1768–
       Esp. of a course of action: disastrously damaging to oneself or one's interests; dangerous and ill-advised.
   31. rumgumptious 1781–
       Strong-willed, headstrong; quarrelsome.
   32. shy 1787–
       dialect. Of a horse: Skittish, unmanageable; high-mettled. Hence (?) of persons (see quot. 1852).
   33. devil-may-care 1799–
       Cheerfully reckless; carefree.
   34. bullheaded 1818–
       Having a massive head, broadheaded; figurative blindly impetuous, blockheaded.
   35. devil-may-carish 1825–
       Characterized by a devil-may-care attitude; cheerfully reckless.
   36. temeritous 1892–
       Full of temerity; rash.
   37. kamikaze 1952–
       figurative and in extended use. Reckless, dangerous; hazardous and potentially self-destructive.
   38. bombs away 1957–
       Of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to act in a brusque or forthright manner without much thought; impulsive, reckless, hot-headed…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

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

zeal, n. was revised in June 2018.