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Zest vs Enthusiasm - What's the difference?

zest | enthusiasm |

As nouns the difference between zest and enthusiasm

is that zest is the outer skin of a citrus fruit, used as a flavouring or garnish while enthusiasm is possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.

As a verb zest

is to scrape the zest from a fruit.

zest

English

Noun

(wikipedia zest)
  • The outer skin of a citrus fruit, used as a flavouring or garnish.
  • The orange zest gives the strong flavors in this dish.
  • (by extension) Enthusiasm; keen enjoyment; relish; gusto.
  • Auntie Mame had a real zest for life.
  • * Young
  • Almighty Vanity! to thee they owe / Their zest of pleasure, and their balm of woe.
  • * Gogan
  • Liberality of disposition and conduct gives the highest zest and relish to social intercourse.
  • The woody, thick skin enclosing the kernel of a walnut.
  • * 2006 , N. J. Nusha, On the edge: short stories (page 85)
  • The green zest of walnuts was used by the women to shine their teeth and it also gave a beautiful rust colour to their lips.

    Synonyms

    * (enthusiasm) gusto * spice, relish, tang

    Verb

  • (cooking) To scrape the zest from a fruit
  • To make more zesty
  • ----

    enthusiasm

    Noun

  • (obsolete, or, historical) Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
  • * 1946 , Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy , ch. 1
  • The intoxication that they sought was that of ‘enthusiasm ’, of union with the god.
  • Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.
  • Something in which one is keenly interested.
  • * 1968 , Central States Archaeological Journal (volumes 15-16, page 154)
  • My main enthusiasm is attending and seeing the progress and interest of collectors, to meet old friends, and hopefully to make new friends.
  • * 2012 , Nicholas Joll, Philosophy and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (page 23)
  • Other Adamsian enthusiasms included: fast cars; restaurants; Bach, the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits;