enthusiasm

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English

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Etymology

First attested from 1603, from Middle French enthousiasme, from Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmós), from ἐν (en, “in”) + θεός (theós, “god”) + οὐσία (ousía, “essence”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɪnˈθjuːziæz(ə)m/, /-θɪu̯-/, /ɛn-/
  • Audio (Received Pronunciation)(file)
  • (yod dropping) IPA(key): /-θuː-/
  • Audio (General American)(file)

Noun

enthusiasm (countable and uncountable, plural enthusiasms)

  1. Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.
    Try to curb your enthusiasm.
    They have a great enthusiasm for country music.
  2. 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; […]
  3. (obsolete or historical) Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
    • 1946, Bertrand Russell, chapter 1, in History of Western Philosophy:
      The intoxication that they sought was that of ‘enthusiasm’, of union with the god.

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