Zealot

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈzÉ›l.É™t/

Origin

First coined in English in 1638, from Ancient Greek ζηλωτής (zēlōtēs, "emulator, zealous admirer, follower"), from ζῆλος (zēlos, "zeal, jealousy"), from ζηλόω (zēloō, "to emulate, to be jealous").

Full definition of zealot

Noun

1. One who is zealous, one who is full of zeal for his own specific beliefs or objectives, usually in the negative sense of being too passionate; a fanatic
2. (historical) A member of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent in the first century, who advocated the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisted the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to convert the Jews.
3. (historical) A member of an anti-aristocratic political group in Thessalonica from 1342 until 1350.

Synonyms

• enthusiast
• fanatic

Related terms

Anagrams

• Laotze