I. ˈärd ə nt, ˈȧd- adjective
Etymology: Middle English ardaunt, ardent, from Middle French ardant, ardent, from Latin ardent-, ardens, present part of ardēre to burn — more at ardor
1.
a. : characterized by warmth or heat of emotion, feeling, or sentiment : warm , passionate
a faint influence of his ardent spirit reached the West — R.W.Southern
has left me a less ardent lover than I should perhaps otherwise have been — Samuel Butler †1902
b. : characterized by intensity : very strong or great : extreme
gave constant proofs of his ardent longing for an education — R.B.Merriman
glanced with ardent loathing at Mrs. Follansbee — Jean Stafford
c.
(1) : extremely enthusiastic : eager , zealous
an ardent naturalist
(2) : extremely loyal : devoted , faithful
an ardent supporter of Gladstone — H.D.Jordan
2. : burning or causing a sensation of burning : fiery , hot
an ardent fever
the ardent sun
3. : inflammable , combustible — now used only in the phrase ardent spirits
4. : having the appearance of fire : glowing , shining
from rank to rank she darts her ardent eyes — Alexander Pope
Synonyms: see impassioned
II. noun
( -s )
: ardent spirits — used with the
a man extremely fond of the ardent