Earnest /(ẽr"nĕst)/
Ear·nest
Earnest
n.
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Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.
And given in earnest what I begged in jest.
Phrases & Compounds
- In earnest
- serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
Earnest
a.
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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.
An earnest advocate to plead for him.
- Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
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Serious; important. [Obs.]
They whom earnest lets do often hinder.
Earnest
v. t.
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To use in earnest. [R.]
To earnest them [our arms] with men.
Earnest
n.
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Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death.
- Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. (Law)
Phrases & Compounds
- Earnest money
- money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.