EARNEST

I. noun Etymology: Middle English ernest, from Old English eornost; akin to Old High German ernust ~ Date: before 12th century a serious and intent mental state , a considerable or impressive degree or amount , II. adjective Date: before 12th century characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind, grave , important , see: serious ~ly adverb ~ness noun III. noun Etymology: Middle English ernes, ernest, from Anglo-French arres, erres, plural of erre ~, from Latin arra, short for arrabo, from Greek arrhabōn, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew ‘ērābhōn pledge Date: 13th century something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain, a token of what is to come ; pledge