Zeal (zēl), n. [F. zèle; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. �, probably akin to � to boil. Cf. Yeast, Jealous.]
1. Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor. “Ambition varnished o'er with zeal.” Milton. “Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.” Dryden. “Zeal's never-dying fire.” Keble.
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Rom. x. 2.
A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert with little care what shall be established. Johnson.
2. A zealot. B. Jonson.