Obs. Also zele. [ad. late L. zēlāre, ad. Gr. ζηλοῦν, f. ζῆλος ZEAL sb.]
1. trans. To be zealous for; to pursue with zeal or passionate ardor.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., I. 69. A notable exaumple of sapience with whole herte & mynde, feruently desired and zeled.
1609. Bible (Douay), Wisd. i. 12. Zeale not death in the errour of your life.
1623. Naunton, in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 193. Blesse and prosper it to both yourselves and to all that truely zeale your truest prosperities.
2. To inspire with zeal.
1549. Cheke, Hurt Sedit. (1569), L iij b. Men zealed towarde God, but not fit to iudge.
1642. Featly, Vertumnus, 85. They will … stirre up an earnestnesse in them in religion, as zealing their owne being opposed by falshood.
3. intr. To act with zeal, show zeal, be zealous.
1459. [see zealing below].
a. 1626. Bacon, Disc. conc. Ch. Aff. (1641), 19. Stiffe fellowes, and such as zeale marvellously for those whom they have chosen to bee their masters.
Hence † Zealed ppl. a., full of zeal, zealous (see also OVER-ZEALED); † Zealing ppl. a.
1459. Rolls of Parlt., V. 348/2. Subtily coloured, and feyned zelyng Justice.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 68. A faire seeming … fountaine of zealing christall streames.
1635[?]. Fletcher, etc., Love’s Pilgr., IV. i. You might have done, but for that zeald religion You women bear to swownings.
