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Earnest vs Impetuous - What's the difference?

earnest | impetuous | Related terms |

Earnest is a related term of impetuous.


As a proper noun earnest

is , an occasional spelling variant of ernest.

As an adjective impetuous is

making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.

earnest

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ernest, eornest, from (etyl) eornest, eornost, .

Noun

(-)
  • Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest .
  • * Shakespeare
    • given in earnest what I begged in jest
  • Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
    • Derived terms
    * earnestful * in earnest

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To be serious with; use in earnest.
  • * 1602 , Pastor Fido:
    • Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) eornest, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.
  • Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers .
  • Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention .
  • Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent.
    • an earnest disposition
  • Strenuous; diligent.
    • earnest efforts
  • Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important.
    • Derived terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 3

    Of uncertain origin; apparently related to (erres). Compare also (l).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
  • * 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 365:
    • But if all this was viewed by Gladstone and the Cabinet as an earnest of St Petersburg's future good intentions in Central Asia, then disillusionment was soon to follow.

    See also

    * Earnest * earnest money

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    impetuous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
  • * 1880 , John Weeks Moore, Complete Encyclopaedia of Music , "":
    • But it was natural, that the impetuous , restless young artist should incline more to excess of strength than of delicacy in his playing.
  • Characterized by sudden and violent force.
  • * 1794 , :
    • He stands, and views in the faint rays
    Far, far below, the torrent's rising surge,
    And listens to the wild impetuous roar

    Synonyms

    * impulsive * hasty * rash * hotheaded