[jeal.ous] adj [ME jelous, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) VL zelosus, fr. LL zelus zeal--more at zeal] (13c) 1 a: intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness b: disposed to suspect rivalry or unfaithfulness
2: hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage
3: vigilant in guarding a possession "new colonies were ~ of their new independence --Scott Buchanan" -- jeal.ous.ly adv -- jeal.ous.ness n