zealnoun
Meaning & use
- 1.Passion, fervour; vehemence of feeling.
- 1.a.a1382–In Biblical language, as an attribute of God: passionate love or care which will tolerate no unfaithfulness or disobedience. Cf. jealousy n. 4c, jealous adj. 4c.
- (a1382)
The zeel [a1425 L.V. feruent loue, 1535 Coverdale gelousy; Latin zelus] of the Lord of hoostis schal done that.
Bible (Wycliffite, early version) (Douce MS. 370) (1850) 4 Kings xix. 31[Composed a1382] - 1531
These thinges shall the zele of the lorde of hostes thus bringe to passe, wherfore thus promyseth the lorde, as touchinge kynge Assyrye.
, translation of Prophete Isaye xxxvii. sig. viv - 1611
They shal know that I the Lord haue spoken it in my zeale, when I haue accomplished my fury in them.
Bible (King James) Ezekiel v. 13 - a1653
The zeale of God is that most earnest loue which he hath for his owne glory and the well of his Church.
, Sel. Serm. (1989) iii. 75 - 1785
You ye blest People who his will obey, To whom this great salvation in his zeal The God of Gods himself, Jehovah shall reveal.
, Isaiah Versified viii. 42 - 1878
Men do not perceive the hand of the Lord already lifted up for judgment. But they shall one day perceive it when God's zeal will display itself.
& , translation of C. W. E. Nägelsbach, Prophet Isaiah 287/1 in P. Schaff et al., translation of J. P. Lange et al. Comm. Holy Script.: Old Testament vol. XI. - 1886
The devouring of the whole earth with the Fire of God's zeal.
, Millennial Dawn vol. I. xv. 315 - 1954
This task is to be performed through the zeal of Yahweh of Hosts: Yahweh Himself will..establish justice.
, translation of S. Mowinckel, He that Cometh i. iv. 107 - 2014
God's zeal, as well as his wrath, are characterized by love.
, Baur's Synthesis of Böhme & Hegel i. ii. 98
- 1.b.a1425–1700† With reference to a person: intense or powerful emotion; strong, ardent, or overpowering feeling, often of a negative kind (as envy, extreme anger, excessive rivalry, etc.). Also: an instance of this. Obsolete.
- a1425 (c1384)
The north, where the idol of zele [Latin zeli], or enuye, was set.
Bible (Wycliffite, early version) (Corpus Christi Oxford MS.) (1850) Ezekiel viii. 3[Composed c1384] - ?a1450
Somtyme zele is putte for enuy..also somtyme..for ire..: Wer..is zele and contencion..þer is vnstedfastenes and all schrewed werke.
in C. von Nolcken, Middle English Translation of Rosarium Theology (1979) 104 (Middle English Dictionary) - 1526
The dedes of the flesshe..hatred, lawynge, zele [1611 emulations, 1881 (R.V.) jealousies; Greek ζῆλος].
Bible (Tyndale) Galatians v. 20 - 1535
Elias the prophet..brought an honger vpon them and in his zele he made them few in nombre.
Bible (Coverdale) Ecclesiasticus xlviii. 2 - 1575
These kindes of anger are good, and are called in the scripture ielousies or zeales.
, translation of M. Luther, Comm. Epist. to Galathians iii. 88 - 1604
Zeale (that is, envie, emulation or indignation) and anger shorten thy dayes.
, Passions of Minde (new edition) ii. iii. 63 - 1700
For my part, I don't apprehend the Reason of Mr. Vander Waeyen's Zeal, or to speak more plainly, of his excessive Anger against Mr. L. C. who never mention'd him in his Writings, that I know of, nor had any Quarrel with him.
translation of J. Le Clerc, Parrhasiana 265
- 1.c.c1450–1905† Ardent concern, affection, or love for a person or thing; devotion. Sometimes with to, toward. Obsolete. Chiefly archaic in later use.
- c1450 (c1415)
Crist..for þe gret zele and loue of man, shewed hym-selfe..as a pore childe.
in W. O. Ross, Middle English Sermons (1940) 171 (Middle English Dictionary)[Composed c1415] - 1461–2
The tender zele and naturall love that youre seid highnes bare unto the defence..of youre seid reame.
Rolls of Parliament: Edward IV (Electronic edition) Parl. November 1461 §7. m. 2 - a1500
Haue þerfore first zeel [Latin Habe..zelum] to þiself, & þan maist þou haue zeel [Latin zelare poteris] to þi neiȝbore.
translation of Thomas à Kempis, De Imitatione Christi (Trinity Dublin MS.) (1893) 43 - a1535
Hath the protectour so tender zele to him, that he fereth nothing but lest he should escape hym?
, History Richard III in Workes (1557) 50/1 - ?a1562
The Cardynall espieng the great zeale that the kyng had conceyved in this Gentill woman.
, Life Wolsey (1959) 36 - 1606
Demetryus..spared his life not for any zeale hee had toward him.
, translation of Justinus, Historie xxxv. 113 - 1685
I thought I had ground for those hopes, which..the zeal of my soul formed into wishes for her recovery.
in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney, Memoirs of Verney Family 17th Century (1907) vol. II. 403 - 1823
She thanked me..for my zeal to her, and our holy religion.
, St. Johnstoun vol. II. ii. 24 - 1905
There is nothing too high for thy virtues and thy zeal towards me to merit.
, Psyche xv. 223
- 2.Passionate enthusiasm for or dedication to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc.; vehement, eager, or dedicated pursuit of an objective. Also with disparaging implication: excessive or immoderate enthusiasm, devotion, or fervour. Frequently with for; formerly also with † of, to, unto, etc.
- 2.a.a1413–As a count noun. Now somewhat rare.
- a1413 (c1385)
O moral Gower þis boke I directe To þe and the Philosophical Strode To vouchen sauf, per nede is to corecte Of your benygnitees and zeles.
, Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan MS.) (1882) v. l. 1859[Composed c1385] - c1460
I counseyle þe to haue a zele..forto seye hem [sc. prayers] dystynctly..so þat þi tonge be not in þe queere and þin hert in þe towne.
Tree & 12 Frutes (McClean MS.) (1960) 19 (Middle English Dictionary) - 1526
Many hath a good zele to perfection, whiche for lacke of this lyght..knoweth nat what is to be don.
, Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. OOiiii - c1535
This angre and wraith was bot a weray zeill vnto the law of God.
, New Testament in Scots (1903) vol. II. 238 (margin) - 1563
Such ar zeles without knowlege, and iudgement.
, Actes & Monuments 1309/2 - 1625
I doe not finde, that those Zeales, doe any great Effects.
, Essayes (new edition) 331 - 1653
Whereof (my Lords)..we..by your unwearied Zeals may..obtain the full..Fruition.
, Art of Logick Epistle Ded. sig. A3v - 1700
It would not be difficult to run the parallel between the Zeals of the two Religions.
, 15 Serm. Several Occasions x. 261 - 1722
A Zeal of converting the neighboring Nations.
translation of J. B. Müller, Manners & Customs of Ostiacks in translation of F. C. Weber, Present State of Russia vol. II. iv. 86 - 1810
My zeals, however, though never lasting, are always revivable.
in J. W. Robberds, Memoir William Taylor (1843) vol. II. 288 - 1894
The enthusiasm of honor, the zeals and even extravagances of pure passion.
Fortnightly Review 1 July 57 - 1949
The unquestioning beliefs, the creeds and rituals, and the crusading zeals of a religion.
Law & Contemporary Probl. vol. 14 1 - 1991
Troubled and shadowed with misguided zeals and hates.
, Re-writing Amer. 56
- 2.b.c1425–As a mass noun.Now the usual sense.
- c1425
With zel of feith I brenne as doth þe glede, Of alle harmys to bidden ȝow be war.
, Troyyes Book (Augustus MS. A.iv) ii. l. 3168 (Middle English Dictionary) - c1450
Who-so-euer haȝ..desyre wyth gud seele in doynge what he may to true conuersyon of other, [etc.].
Speculum Christiani (Harley MS. 6580) (1933) 240 (Middle English Dictionary) - 1555
By whose..godly zeale this myghtie portion of the worlde hath byn added to the flocke of Chrystes congregation.
in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde Preface sig. aiij - 1593
Inordinate Zeale is a pernitious Reformer.
, Pierces Supererogation 106 - a1600 (1535)
His gude Lyfe and Maneris, and Zeill of Justice.
, translation of H. Boece, Buik of Croniclis of Scotland (1858) vol. II. 535 (heading)[Composed 1535] - 1611
Zeale to promote the common good.
in Bible (King James) Transl. to Reader sig. A3v - 1641
They deride our worship, and zeale, as Michall did Davids.
, True Evangelical Temper iii. 197 - c1660
Popular reformers, whose zeale has foolishly transported them in other places rather to act like madmen, then religious.
, Diary anno 1641 (1955) vol. II. 49 - 1774
This zeal will prove fatal to the fortune and felicity of my family... Colonel Otis's phrase is, ‘The zeal-pot boils over’.
in J. Adams & A. Adams, Familiar Letters (1876) 23 - 1797
In his ardent zeal for imitating the classical historians, the author has dropped all titles.
Critical Review May 422 - 1816
With all the zeal Which young and fiery converts feel.
, Siege of Corinth iv. 11 - 1860
He joined with his drinking propensities a great zeal for the Episcopal Church.
, Reminiscences of Scottish Life (ed. 6) v. 183 - 1920
He never permitted his zeal to carry him beyond the bounds of the strictest propriety.
Virginia Law Register vol. 5 677 - 1960
The tendency for unscrupulous traders to exploit the competitive zeal of finance houses.
Financial Times 5 January 3/7 - 2015
His superiors admired his zeal for the job and his no-nonsense ethic.
, Klandestine ii. viii. 53
- 3.c1451–1697† Ardent or eager desire to obtain a result, pursue a course of action, etc.; desire or longing for something. Also as a count noun: a wish, a desire; an intention. Obsolete except as merged in sense 2.
- c1451
Gilberd..had..so grete zel to lede soules to heuene.
, Life St. Gilbert (1910) 65 (Middle English Dictionary) - c1484 (a1475)
Þei may haue a lyst and a zele to stody and to lerne.
, translation of Secreta Secretorum (Takamiya MS.) (1977) 141 (Middle English Dictionary)[Composed a1475] - a1500 (a1470)
Wherfore he might nat performe his zele & desire þat he had conceyved Agenst þe Turke.
Brut (British Library Add. MS. 10099) 522[Composed a1470] - 1547
Upon the confydence of whych your accomplyschment to my expectation, zele, and request.
in J. Strype, Ecclesiastical Memorials (1721) vol. II. App. K. 39 - 1581
Ye rout with zeale of news now goes.
, translation of Homer, 10 Books of Iliades ii. 21 - 1600
This doth inferre the zeale I had to see him.
, Henry IV, Part 2 v. v. 14 - 1658
My tender zeal..of your future welfare.
, Father's Legacy in Diary (1836) 211 - 1697
Such Rage of Honey in their Bosom beats: And such a Zeal they have for flow'ry Sweets.
, translation of Virgil, Georgics iv, in translation of Virgil, Works 131
- 4.1492–1600† Chiefly Scottish. In weakened sense: intent, will; inclination; disposition. Frequently with modifying word, esp. in good zeal. Obsolete.
- 1492–3
Johne Scot occupiit the said landis of gude ȝele be vertu of the said charter and sesing gevin to him be the said William Brovster.
in Acts of Lords of Council in Civil Causes (1839) vol. I. 272/1 - 1513
Gentill curtas redaris of guide zeill.
in translation of Virgil, Æneid iii. Prologue 29 - 1533
Master More which of late hath busyed him selfe to medle in all such matters (of what zeale I wil not define).
, Boke answeringe Mores Lettur sig. Aiij - c1540
Thus grew he Ilk day more terribill and odius to his pepill. And gouernit the realme with na better ȝeil than he gat it.
, translation of H. Boece, Hystory & Croniklis of Scotland vi. v. f. 68/1 - c1600
Men of guid zeall and conscience.
, Historie & Cronicles of Scotland (1899) vol. I. 14
- 5.1631–47† In extended use. A zealous person; a zealot. Obsolete.Only in 17th cent.: see note at sense 2.
- 1631
As errant a Zeale as he.
, Bartholmew Fayre i. iii. 7 in Workes vol. II - 1643
There are..both in Greek, Roman, and African Churches, solemnities,..whereof the wiser zeales doe make a Christian use.
, Religio Medici (authorized edition) i. §3 - 1647
Although some Zeales are so hot, and their eyes so inflamed with their ardors.
, Θεολογία Ἐκλεκτική Epistle Ded. 9