Revised 2018
† zeal-worthyadjective
Factsheet
What does the adjective zeal-worthy mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zeal-worthy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
This word is now obsolete. It is only recorded in the late 1700s.
Where does the adjective zeal-worthy come from?
Earliest known use
late 1700s
The only known use of the adjective zeal-worthy is in the late 1700s.
OED's only evidence for zeal-worthy is from 1797, in a letter by Jeremy Bentham, philosopher, jurist, and reformer.
Nearby entries
- zealotist, n. & adj.1593–
- zealotry, n.1653–
- zealous, adj.?1495–
- zealously, adv.?1495–
- zealousness, n.c1555–
- zealousy, n.1542–
- zeal-pretending, adj.1652–69
- zeal-quenching, adj.1688–1877
- zeal-scoffing, adj.1605
- zeal-transported, adj.a1644–59
- zeal-worthy, adj.1797
- zea maize, n.1811–
- zearalanol, n.1966–
- zearalenone, n.1966–
- zeatin, n.1963–
- zeaxanthin, n.1929–
- Zebedist, n.1574
- zebra, n.1597–
- zebra caterpillar, n.1841–
- zebra crossing, n.1934–
- zebra danio, n.1917–
Meaning & use
Obsolete rare.
- 1797Deserving of zeal or enthusiasm.
- 1797
Knowing..your zeal for all zeal-worthy objects.
J. Bentham, Letter 8 September in Correspondence (1981) vol. V. 376
- 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…