Definition of zeal

The origin of the word "zeal" can be traced back to the Middle English spelling of the word "cilthe," meaning "ardor" or "fervor." This word is believed to have originated from the Old English word "cylð," which also meant "ardor" or "vehemence." The Old English word "cylð" shares the same roots as the Old High German word "kilta" and the Old Norse word "kilthr," both meaning "ardor" or "fervor." These words are derived from the Germanic root "kilth-," meaning "to cut down" or "fell." The exact etymological meaning behind this root is uncertain, as it may have originally referred to the metaphorical "cutting down" or "felling" of obstacles in one's path, especially when pursuing a goal with great enthusiasm. The word "zeal" entered the English language during the Middle English period, around the 13th century, when the spelling of "cilthe" evolved into "cylth," "cylt," and eventually "zingel" or "zinge." The modern English spelling of "zeal" is thought to have emerged in the late 15th century. Overall, the origin of the word "zeal" reveals its historical association with the idea of strong, passionate action, and the linguistic roots of this word have been traced back to the Germanic culture of Northern Europe.