'Earnest' definitions:

Definition of 'earnest'

From: WordNet
adjective
Characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions; "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate"; "an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant"; "a film with a solemn social message" [syn: earnest, sincere, solemn]
adjective
Earnest; "one's dearest wish"; "devout wishes for their success"; "heartfelt condolences" [syn: dear, devout, earnest, heartfelt]
adjective
Not distracted by anything unrelated to the goal [syn: businesslike, earnest]
noun
Something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract

Definition of 'Earnest'

From: GCIDE
  • Earnest \Ear"nest\, a.
  • 1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers. [1913 Webster]
  • An earnest advocate to plead for him. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Serious; important. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • They whom earnest lets do often hinder. --Hooker.
  • Syn: Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Earnest'

From: GCIDE
  • Earnest \Ear"nest\, v. t. To use in earnest. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • To earnest them [our arms] with men. --Pastor Fido (1602). [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Earnest'

From: GCIDE
  • Earnest \Ear"nest\, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. 'arrabw`n, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. [=e]r[=a]v[=o]n; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny.]
  • 1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come. [1913 Webster]
  • Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. --2 Cor. i. 22. [1913 Webster]
  • And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Law) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. --Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin. [1913 Webster]
  • Earnest money (Law), money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.
  • Syn: Earnest, Pledge.
  • Usage: These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Earnest'

From: GCIDE
  • Earnest \Ear"nest\ ([~e]r"n[e^]st), n. [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. 'orny`nai to excite, L. oriri to rise.] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness. [1913 Webster]
  • Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]
  • And given in earnest what I begged in jest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • In earnest, serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Earnest'

From: Easton
  • Earnest The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14). The word thus rendered is the same as that rendered "pledge" in Gen. 38:17-20; "indeed, the Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin languages, probably through commercial dealings with the Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days. Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is joined with the figure of a seal when applied to the Spirit, it seems to be used by Paul in this specific sense." The Spirit's gracious presence and working in believers is a foretaste to them of the blessedness of heaven. God is graciously pleased to give not only pledges but foretastes of future blessedness.

Synonyms of 'earnest'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Earnest'