Earnest — Defs

01 n. Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

1.
Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
“Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest.” — Sir P. Sidney.

“And given in earnest what I begged in jest.” — Shak.

Phrases & compounds

In earnest — serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.

02 a. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- use…

1.
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
“An earnest advocate to plead for him.” — Shak.
2.
Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
3.
Serious; important.[Obs.]
“They whom earnest lets do often hinder.” — Hooker.

Syn. Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See Eager.

03 v. t. To use in earnest.

1.
To use in earnest.[R.]
“To earnest them [our arms] with men.” — Pastor Fido (1602).

04 n. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.

1.
Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” — 2 Cor. i. 22.

“And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death.” — Shak.
2.
Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.(Law)

Phrases & compounds

Earnest money — money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.

Syn. Earnest, Pledge.

These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.