I. ˈēgə(r) adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English egre sharp, sour, eager, from Old French aigre, from Latin acer sharp, sour, spirited, zealous; akin to Greek akros highest, extreme, Sanskrit aśri corner, edge — more at edge
1. : marked of its kind by reason of notable development of some quality (as sourness, savor, fierceness, violence, chill, or vigor) — obs. except of weather phenomena
an eager breeze ruffled the lake
a nipping and an eager air — Shakespeare
2. : having or characterized by strong and urgent interest, desire, ardor, enthusiasm, or impatience
an eager lad determined to make his mark
they were eager to get on their way before the storm broke
3. obsolete , of metal : brittle : lacking in ductility or temper
Synonyms:
avid , keen , anxious , agog , athirst : eager is likely to imply ardor, enthusiasm, and impatient reluctance at delay
the parent, moreover, is likely to be too eager and too much interested in his child's progress — Bertrand Russell
when the boys saw one another taking their seats, they were as eager as before they had been slow; and they hustled each other at the bottom of the table — Anthony Trollope
avid may have suggestions of intense desire or insatiability
the westward-moving settlers, avid for land — D.E.Clark
outward satiety such as follows a too avid thirst for pleasure — G.W.Russell
she watched him eagerly, avid for any gleam of surprise or disapproval — Margery Allingham
keen suggests sharp and lively interest marked by lasting intensity and ready responsiveness
I was making the acquaintance of my shipmates, and so keen on learning my new duties that the days were all too short — C.B.Nordhoff & J.N.Hall
she was a keen horticulturist, and won prizes at all the local flower shows — John Buchan
anxious may suggest deep desire intermixed with worry and fear of frustration or disappointment
the average immigrant was pathetically anxious to become an American — Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager
the schoolmasters may be pathetically anxious to guide boys right, and to guard them from evil — A.C.Benson
I am particularly anxious in this lecture not to assume the role of Christian apologist — W.R.Inge
agog suggests excited or impatient expectancy
awaiting him impatiently, agog with curiosity — Fred Majdalany
a greenhorn who arrives in Australia, all agog to begin life as a station owner — Leslie Rees
athirst may suggest yearning or longing
on naturalism and materialism a constant war is waged by one or two great souls athirst for pure aesthetic rapture — Clive Bell
older boys and girls eager for the universities, all of them athirst for experience — Saturday Review
II.
variant of eagre