— avidly , adv. — avidness , n.
/av"id/ , adj.
1. enthusiastic; ardent; dedicated; keen: an avid moviegoer.
2. keenly desirous; eager; greedy (often fol. by for or of ): avid for pleasure; avid of power.
[ 1760-70; avidus, equiv. to av ( ere ) to crave + -idus -ID 4 ]
Syn . AVID, EAGER, KEEN all share the sense of strongly desirous. AVID suggests a desire akin to greed, so strong as to be insatiable: driven by an avid need for fame and recognition. EAGER implies a desire that is strong and impatient but less than overpowering: eager to try his hand at new tasks. KEEN carries a sense of zest and active, alert desire: an amateur painter, ever keen to try new techniques.