/en thooh"zee az'euhm/ , n.
1. absorbing or controlling possession of the mind by any interest or pursuit; lively interest: He shows marked enthusiasm for his studies.
2. an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which such interest is shown: Hunting is his latest enthusiasm.
3. any of various forms of extreme religious devotion, usually associated with intense emotionalism and a break with orthodoxy.
[ 1570-80; enthusiasmus enthousiasmós, equiv. to enthousí ( a ) possession by a god ( énthous, var. of ÉNTHEOS having a god within, equiv. to en- EN- 2 + -thous, -theos god-possessing + -ia Y 3 ) + -asmos, var., after vowel stems, of -ismos -ISM ]
Syn. 1. eagerness, warmth, fervor, zeal, ardor, passion, devotion.
Ant. 1. indifference.