01 n. Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power; ecstasy; hence, a conceit of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subj…
-
1.
Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power; ecstasy; hence, a conceit of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some divine impulse.“Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed or overweening imagination.” — Locke.
-
2.
A state of impassioned emotion; transport; elevation of fancy; exaltation of soul; as, the poetry of enthusiasm.“Resolutions adopted in enthusiasm are often repented of when excitement has been succeeded by the wearing duties of hard everyday routine.” — Froude.“Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating shrewdness.” — Bancroft.
-
3.
Enkindled and kindling fervor of soul; strong excitement of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject; ardent and imaginative zeal or interest; as, he engaged in his profession with enthusiasm.“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” — Emerson.
-
4.
Lively manifestation of joy or zeal.“Philip was greeted with a tumultuous enthusiasm.” — Prescott.