adj. (colloquial).—Serious; soulful; ÆSTHETIC (q.v.); YEARNEST (q.v.).
1879. W. D. HOWELLS, The Lady of the Aroostook, xiv. ‘Why, Miss Blood, you are INTENSE!’ ‘I dont know what you mean by that,’ said Lydia. ‘You like to take thing seriously. You can’t bear to think that people are not the least in earnest, even when they least seem so.’
1889. DU MAURIER, English Society at Home, plate 49. Fair Æsthetic to Smith who has just been introduced ‘Are you INTENSE’?
