earnest

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

   both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate

2. 2
   noun

   Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.

   Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.

3. 3
   verb

   To be serious with; use in earnest.

   Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

4. 4
   adj

   Focused in the pursuit of an objective; honestly eager to obtain or do.

   earnest prayers

5. 5
   adj

   Intent; focused; showing a lot of concentration.

   earnest attention

6. 6
   adj

   Possessing or characterised by seriousness.

   an earnest disposition

7. 7
   adj

   Strenuous; diligent.

   earnest efforts

8. 8
   noun

   A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.

   Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Etymology

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 𐌰𐍂𐌽𐌹𐌱𐌰 (arniba, “secure, certain, sure”). T…