Zeal , v. i. To be zealous. [Obs. & R.]
Bacon.
Zeal (zēl),
n. [F. zèle; 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.
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