earnest¹ ◙ adjective 1. resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction • 诚挚的，热切的 »an earnest student. 一个求知欲望强烈的学生。 »two girls were in earnest conversation. 两个女孩在热切交谈。
【IDIOMS】
◘ in earnest 1. occurring to a greater extent or more intensely than before • （更加）迫切地 »work began again in earnest. 工作又开始变得紧迫起来。 (of a person) sincere and serious in their behaviour or convictions • （人）诚挚地，热切地；认真地
【派生】
♦ earnestly adverb ♦ earnestness noun
【语源】
1. Old English eornoste (adjective), eornost (noun), of Germanic origin; related to German Ernst (noun)earnest² ◙ noun 1. [in sing.] a thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come • 预示；保证 »the presence of the troops is an earnest of the world's desire not to see the conflict repeated elsewhere. 部队的出现预示着全世界都不希望看到冲突在其他地方重演。
【语源】
1. Middle English ernes, literally 'instalment paid to confirm a contract', based on Old French erres, from Latin arra, shortened form of arrabo 'a pledge'. The spelling was influenced by words ending in -ness; the final -t is probably by association with earnest