a. Also 6–7 zelous. [ad. med.L. zēlōsus (cf. It., Pg. zeloso, Sp. celoso), f. zēlus ZEAL sb.: see -OUS.]
1. Full of or incited by zeal; characterized by zeal or passionate ardor; fervently devoted to the promotion of some person or cause; intensely earnest; actively enthusiastic. a. of persons. Const. for.
In the 17th cent. sometimes connoting puritanical zeal.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Kings xix. 10. I haue bene zelous for the Lorde God Zebaoth.
1585. Whitney, Choice Embl. (1586), Ep. Ded. *3. A zelous fauorer of the Gospell, and of the godlie Preachers thereof.
a. 1591. H. Smith, Serm., Acts xxvi. 27–9 (1592), 921. As some giddy spirites thinke now, that they which are zelouser than themselues know not what they say nor doe.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 32. Let them stay at home who are so zealous, as they will pull the Hostia or Sacrament out of the Priests hand.
1653. Milton, Hirelings, Wks. 1851, V. 368. Out of the ablest and zealousest among them to create Elders.
1673. J. W[ade], Vin. & Must. (1873), 15. Are they not reverend botchers,… or some weavers, Some zealous cobblers, hatmakers and glovers?
1733. in Swift’s Lett. (1768), IV. 47. Be assured that none is more truly zealous for your welfare, than your F. A. Kelly.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 175. The House of Commons … more zealous for royalty than the king, more zealous for episcopacy than the bishops.
1874. Green, Short Hist., viii. § 5. 508. Episcopacy had become identified among the more zealous Scotchmen with the old Catholicism.
(b) Const. inf., occas. clause (the sense passing into: Eagerly desirous).
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. vii. § 2. 24. I am … zealous and affectionate to recede as little from Antiquitie … as may stand with truth.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 565. A Spirit, zealous, as he seem’d, to know More of th’ Almighties works.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 1 April 1688. Multitudes zealous to hear the second sermon.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, IV. 403. Not a scorner of your sex But venerator, zealous it should be All that it might be.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., viii. I’s so zealous to be cotchin’ Lizy, that I couldn’t hold in.
† (c) In obs. const. with preps.
1526. Tindale, Acts xxi. 20. They are all zelous over the lawe [Geneva zelous of the Lawe].
1611. Bible, Acts xxii. 3. I … was zealous towards God. Ibid., Titus ii. 14. A peculiar people, zealous of good workes.
1644. Milton, Judgm. Bucer, xxii. Wks. 1851, IV. 313. Jerom … though zealous of single life more then enough,… defended Fabiola.
b. Of passions, actions, etc.
1563. Mirr. Mag., Hastings, xiv. The many meanes, wherby I dyd bewraye My zelous wyll, to earne my prynces grace.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. vii. 94. When … Religious men Are at their Beades, ’tis much to draw them thence, So sweet is zealous Contemplation. Ibid. (1595), John, II. i. 19. This zelous kisse.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., II. iii. 130. Then wch [sc. Bulla Cruciatæ] there was never a more zealous piece, published to the world.
1808. W. Wilson, Hist. Diss. Ch., I. 391. To those doctrines he expressed a zealous attachment.
1851. Gladstone, Glean., VI. lxiv. 42. Zealous and intelligent co-operation.
† 2. = JEALOUS 4, 4 c. Obs. rare.
1563. Homilies, II. Agst. Idol., III. Tt ij b. To spoyle the zelous God of his honour.
1630. Hakewill, Apol. (ed. 2), IV. x. § 4. 433. That this people should be so wonderfully zealous of the renowne of their nation.
