Zeal (?), n. [F. zele; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. , probably akin to to boil. Cf. Yeast, Jealous.]
1.
Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.
"Ambition varnished o'er with
zeal."
Milton. "
Zeal, the blind conductor of the will."
Dryden. "
Zeal's never-dying fire."
Keble.
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom. x. 2.
A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established.
Johnson.
2.
A zealot.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
© Webster 1913.
Zeal, v. i.
To be zealous.
[Obs. & R.]
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.