ear•nest^*ˈɜr nɪst(adj.)

1. serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous.

2. showing depth and sincerity of feeling:

   an earnest entreaty.

3. seriously important; grave.

4. (n.)full seriousness, as of intention or purpose:

   to be in earnest.

^* Syn: earnest , resolute , serious , sincere imply having qualities of steady purposefulness. earnest implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager in pursuing it: an earnest student.resolute adds a quality of determination: resolute in defending the rights of others.serious implies having depth and a soberness of attitude that contrasts with gaiety and frivolity; it may include the qualities of both earnestness and resolution: serious and thoughtful.sincere suggests genuineness, trustworthiness, and absence of superficiality: a sincere interest in a person's welfare.

Origin of earnest:

bef. 1000; ME ernest, OE eornost zeal, seriousness, c. MLG ernest, OHG ernust

ear′nest•ness(n.)

ear•nestˈɜr nɪst(n.)

1. a portion of something, given or done in advance as a pledge of the remainder.

2. money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract.

   Category: Law

Origin of earnest:

1175–1225; ME ernes(t), alter. of OF erres, pl. of erre earnest money < L arr(h)a short for arr(h)abō < Gk arrhabṓn < Semitic (cf. Heb ‘ērābhōn security, pledge)