Earnest

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɜː(ɹ)nɪst/

From Middle English ernest, eornest, from Old English eornest, eornost, eornust ("earnestness, zeal, seriousness, battle"), from Proto-Germanic *ernustuz ("earnest, strength, solidity, struggle, fight"), a derivative of Proto-Germanic *arniz ("efficient, capable, diligent, sure"), from Proto-Indo-European *er- ("to cause to move, arouse, increase"). Cognate with West Frisian earnst ("earnest, seriousness"), Dutch ernst ("seriousness, gravity, earnest"), German Ernst ("seriousness, earnestness, zeal, vigour"), Icelandic ern ("brisk, vigorous"), Gothic (arniba, "secure, certain, sure").

Full definition of earnest

Noun

1. Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
• Sir Philip SidneyTake heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.
• Shakespearegiven in earnest what I begged in jest
2. Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

Derived terms

• earnestful
• in earnest

Verb

1. (transitive) To be serious with; use in earnest.
• 1602, Pastor Fido:Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

From Middle English eornest, from Old English eornoste ("earnest, zealous, serious"), from eornost ("earnest", the noun; see above). Cognate with North Frisian ernste ("earnest"), Middle Low German ernest, ernst ("serious, earnest"), German ernst ("serious, earnest").

Adjective

1. Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.
2. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
3. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
4. Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent.an earnest disposition
5. Strenuous; diligent.earnest efforts
6. Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important.

Derived terms

• earnestly
• earnestness

Of uncertain origin; apparently related to erres. Compare also arles.

Noun

1. A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
• 1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society 2010, p. 365:But if all this was viewed by Gladstone and the Cabinet as an earnest of St Petersburg's future good intentions in Central Asia, then disillusionment was soon to follow.

Anagrams

• eastern
• estrane
• nearest
• sterane