I. ˈərnə̇st, ˈə̄n-, ˈəin- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ernest, from Old English eornost; akin to Old High German ernust seriousness, Old Norse ern vigorous, Gothic arniba safely and probably to Old English rīsan to rise — more at rise
1. : a serious and intent mental state ; usually : grave and intense attention, interest, or purpose : seriousness — usually used with in and often contrasted with jest
and given in earnest what I begged in jest — Shakespeare
are you sure you're in earnest about this
2. archaic : serious matter or expression
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English ernest, from Old English eornoste, from eornost, n.
1. : characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind : not light, flippant, playful, or jesting
earnest attention
an earnest plea
2. : of a grave or important nature : not trivial
life is real, life is earnest — H.W.Longfellow
Synonyms: see serious
III. adverb
obsolete : earnestly
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ernest, probably by folk etymology (influence of Middle English ernest seriousness) from ernes, modification of Old French erres, plural of erre earnest, from Latin arra, short for arrabon-, arrabo, from Greek arrhabōn, from Hebrew 'ērābōn
1. : something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain — compare earnest money , god's penny
2. : a token or installment of what is to come : pledge
the Resurrection which was an earnest of the coming redemption of the world — G.W.H.Lampe
his whole expression was an earnest of his good intentions
Synonyms: see pledge