enthu

n. [ Gr. &unr_; , fr. &unr_; to be inspired or possessed by the god, fr. &unr_;, &unr_;, inspired: cf. enthousiasme. See Entheal, Theism. ] 1. Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power; ecstasy; hence, a conceit of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some divine impulse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed or overweening imagination. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A state of impassioned emotion; transport; elevation of fancy; exaltation of soul; as, the poetry of enthusiasm. [ 1913 Webster ]

Resolutions adopted in enthusiasm are often repented of when excitement has been succeeded by the wearing duties of hard everyday routine. Froude. [ 1913 Webster ]

Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating shrewdness. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Enkindled and kindling fervor of soul; strong excitement of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject; ardent and imaginative zeal or interest; as, he engaged in his profession with enthusiasm. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Lively manifestation of joy or zeal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Philip was greeted with a tumultuous enthusiasm. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. enthousiaste. ] One moved or actuated by enthusiasm; as: (a) One who imagines himself divinely inspired, or possessed of some special revelation; a religious madman; a fanatic. (b) One whose mind is wholly possessed and heated by what engages it; one who is influenced by a peculiar; fervor of mind; an ardent and imaginative person. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enthusiasts soon understand each other. W. Irving.

Syn. -- Visionary; fanatic; devotee; zealot.

n. An enthusiast; a zealot. [ Obs. ]