[ear.nest] n [ME ernest, fr. OE eornost; akin to OHG ernust earnest] (bef. 12c): a serious and intent mental state "in ~"
[2]earnest adj (bef. 12c) 1: characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind
2: grave, important syn see serious -- ear.nest.ly adv -- ear.nest.ness n [3]earnest n [ME ernes, ernest, fr. OF erres, pl. of erre earnest, fr. L arra, short for arrabo, fr. Gk arrhabon, of Sem origin; akin to Heb 'erabhon pledge] (13c) 1: something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain
2: a token of what is to come: pledge