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
- Zealander, n.²1773–
- 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–
- zealotist, n. & adj.1593–
- zealotry, n.1653–
- zealous, adj.?1495–
- zealously, adv.?1495–
Etymology
Summary
Probably formed within English, by derivation.
Probably partly < zeal n. + ‑ing suffix2,and partly (in later use) < zeal v. + ‑ing suffix2.Compare zealous adj.
Meaning & use
Obsolete. rare.
- 1459–1602Zealous.In quot. 1602 in figurative context.
- 1459
Subtily coloured, and feyned zelyng justice.
Rolls of Parliament: Henry VI (Electronic edition) Parl. November 1459 §18. m. 3 - 1602
A faire seeming..fountaine of zealing christall streames.
W. Watson, Decacordon of Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 68
- needfulOld English–1230Earnest, eager.
- anguishous?c1225–1500Eager, zealous, ardent.
- 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…
- throc1330–1540Keen, eager, zealous, earnest.
- fierce1377–Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. †Const. for, to, upon, and to with infinitive.
- desirousa1393–1661Very willing, eager, zealous. Esp. in desirous in arms and variants: ready and eager to fight, courageous. Obsolete.
- affectuousa1400–1680Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete.
- yeverousa1400–1907Eager, impetuous.
- inwardc1402–1627Conceived in or coming from one's inmost heart; deeply felt, heartfelt; hence, earnest, fervent.
- earnestful?1406–1563Showing sincere and intense feeling or conviction, serious; = earnest, adj. 1.
- rathe?c1450Of a person or his or her actions: quick, prompt; eager, vehement.
- zealing1459–1602Zealous.
- increc1480Earnest, fervent, eager, hearty.
- affectual1483–1581Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete.
- zealous1526–Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
- affectioneda1533–1623Eager, ambitious; zealous. Obsolete.
- jealous1535–1661Vehement in feeling, as in wrath, desire, or devotion. Devoted, eager, zealous. Obsolete.
- heartyc1540–Energetic or thorough in one's actions or desires; zealous, eager, fervent. In early use frequently with for, to.
- affectivec1550Earnest, zealous. Obsolete. rare.
- earnest1563Of an action or words: proceeding from or implying intensity of feeling or conviction; serious, lacking humour or levity.
- forward1570–Ardent, spirited, zealous, esp. in an action or cause; (esp. in military contexts, of a person or an approach) bold, favouring vigorous aggressive…
- pricking1575That presses forward; keen, eager. Obsolete. rare.
- affectionate1598–1750Eager, ambitious, earnest. Obsolete.
- passiveless1602–54Not passive.
- zealful1602–Full of or inspired by zeal; characterized by passionate enthusiasm; zealous.
- full-hearteda1616–Full of spirit, courage, etc.; wholehearted; (of an action) carried out with the greatest possible enthusiasm, commitment, etc.
- wholehearted1644–Of a person: completely devoted or committed; totally sincere.
- intense1645–Of personal, esp. mental, action, etc.: Strained or strenuously directed to some end; intent, eager, earnest, ardent. (Often not distinguished…
- high1649–1721Zealous, eager, keen. Esp. with for. Obsolete.
- covetous1652–Of actions: Eager.
- thorough-hearted1656–1913Wholehearted, entirely devoted.
- keen as mustard1659–In similative and proverbial phrases, esp. with reference to the heat or pungency of mustard. hot (also strong) as mustard: very powerful or…
- fell1667–1888With for, on, †to. Obsolete.
- fervent1673Of persons, their passions, dispositions, or actions: Ardent, intensely earnest. From 17th cent. almost exclusively with reference to love or…
- smirk1674Eager, ardent. Obsolete. rare.
- zealed1679–1903Zealous; demonstrating or characterized by zeal. Cf. over-zealed, adj.
- prest1697Ready in mind, disposition, or will, esp. for something or to do something; inclined, disposed, willing; eager, keen, prompt.
- strenuous1713–Zealous, earnest, ‘strong’ as a partisan or opponent. Obsolete except as contextual use of sense 1.
- enthusiastic1741–Characterized by, having, or displaying passion or zeal for a cause or principle, or in pursuing an activity or objective; ardent, keen, avid. Of…
- enthusiastical1755–Full of or characterized by passion, eagerness, or keen interest; ardent, avid; energetic. Cf. enthusiastic, adj. A.3a, A.3b. Now rare.
- zeal-worthy1797Deserving of zeal or enthusiasm.
- whole-souled1821–= wholehearted, adj. 2.
- con amore1828–Quasi-adj. Friendly, hearty.
- lyrical1875–Excitedly effusive; highly enthusiastic, fervent. Frequently in to wax lyrical. colloquial (originally U.S.).
- mustard1891–Of the colour of mustard; dark brownish yellow.
- gung ho1942–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…
Forms
Variant forms
- late Middle Englishzelyng
- 1600szealing