There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zealed . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the 1900s.
Earliest known use
late 1600s
The earliest known use of the adjective zealed is in the late 1600s.
OED's earliest evidence for zealed is from 1679, in Loves Pilgramage .
Nearby entries zeagonite, n. 1823– zeal, n. a1382– zeal, v. 1542–1687 Zealander, n.¹ 1663– Zealander, n.² 1773– Zealandic, adj. 1807– Zealandish, adj. 1684– zealator, n. a1464– zeal-blind, adj. 1615–1898 zeal-consuming, adj. 1629–1882 zealed, adj. 1679–1903 zealer, n. ?a1450–1673 zealful, adj. 1602– zeal-inflamed, adj. 1648– zealing, adj. 1459–1602 zealist, n. 1614– zealless, adj. a1594– zealot, n. & adj. a1400– zealotic, adj. 1657– zealotical, adj. 1630– zealotism, n. 1645–
1679–1903
In quot.
1679 , apparently as a correction of an earlier typographical error (cf. the variant reading); however, the original reading is likely to have been
sealed , in sense ‘sworn, committed’ (cf.
sealed adj. 1c).
1679
You might have done, but for that zeald religion You women bear to swownings. Loves Pilgramage (new edition) iv. i. 85/2 in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher, 50 Comedies & Trag.
1712
It is of the Duty and Charity of Christian Princes to be mindful and zealed for the most Holy Gospel of God and Apostolical Religion. translation of Abstr. Letters Patent Edward VI to Foreign Churches London in Apol. French Refugees in Ireland (end matter)
1821
Mr Seybert told me he was one of the most zealed for the success of a thing which he had reckognised the utility and goodness. M. D. Fretageot , Letter 22 July in J. M. Elliott, Partnership for Posterity (1994) i. 132
1903
One of the zealed correspondents of our Museum, communicated me the other day some observations..on living animals. Notes from Leyden Mus. vol. 23 183
▶ more ▼ less Of a person: full of keen desire or appetite; impatiently longing to do or obtain something. With infinitive expressing the desired action. Keen…
Keen, eager, zealous, earnest.
Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. †Const. for , to , upon , and to with infinitive .
Very willing, eager, zealous. Esp. in desirous in arms and variants: ready and eager to fight, courageous. Obsolete .
Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete .
Conceived in or coming from one's inmost heart; deeply felt, heartfelt; hence, earnest, fervent.
Showing sincere and intense feeling or conviction, serious; = earnest , adj. 1.
Of a person or his or her actions: quick, prompt; eager, vehement.
Earnest, fervent, eager, hearty.
Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete .
Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
Eager, ambitious; zealous. Obsolete .
Vehement in feeling, as in wrath, desire, or devotion. Devoted, eager, zealous. Obsolete .
Energetic or thorough in one's actions or desires; zealous, eager, fervent. In early use frequently with for , to .
Earnest, zealous. Obsolete . rare .
Of an action or words: proceeding from or implying intensity of feeling or conviction; serious, lacking humour or levity.
Ardent, spirited, zealous, esp. in an action or cause; (esp. in military contexts, of a person or an approach) bold, favouring vigorous aggressive…
That presses forward; keen, eager. Obsolete . rare .
Eager, ambitious, earnest. Obsolete .
Full of or inspired by zeal; characterized by passionate enthusiasm; zealous.
Full of spirit, courage, etc.; wholehearted; (of an action) carried out with the greatest possible enthusiasm, commitment, etc.
Of a person: completely devoted or committed; totally sincere.
Of personal, esp. mental, action, etc.: Strained or strenuously directed to some end; intent, eager, earnest, ardent. (Often not distinguished…
Zealous, eager, keen. Esp. with for . Obsolete .
Wholehearted, entirely devoted.
In similative and proverbial phrases, esp. with reference to the heat or pungency of mustard. hot (also strong) as mustard : very powerful or…
With for , on , †to . Obsolete .
Of persons, their passions, dispositions, or actions: Ardent, intensely earnest. From 17th cent. almost exclusively with reference to love or…
Eager, ardent. Obsolete . rare .
Zealous; demonstrating or characterized by zeal. Cf. over-zealed , adj.
Ready in mind, disposition, or will, esp. for something or to do something; inclined, disposed, willing; eager, keen, prompt.
Zealous, earnest, ‘strong’ as a partisan or opponent. Obsolete except as contextual use of sense 1.
Characterized by, having, or displaying passion or zeal for a cause or principle, or in pursuing an activity or objective; ardent, keen, avid. Of…
Full of or characterized by passion, eagerness, or keen interest; ardent, avid; energetic. Cf. enthusiastic , adj. A.3a, A.3b. Now rare .
Deserving of zeal or enthusiasm.
Quasi-adj. Friendly, hearty.
Excitedly effusive; highly enthusiastic, fervent. Frequently in to wax lyrical . colloquial (originally U.S. ).
Of the colour of mustard; dark brownish yellow.
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…
Originally published as part of the entry for zeal, v.
zealed, adj. was revised in June 2018.
zealed, adj. was last modified in July 2023.
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