Zelus
/ˈziːləs/noun
In Greek mythology, Zelus is the personification of zeal, rivalry, and eager emulation.
Did you know?Zelus is one of the Greek daimones tied to intense human drives, and his name ultimately gave English the words zeal, zealous, and zealot.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰel-
“to be hot, to boil, to glow with intensity”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζῆλος (zêlos)
“ardor, rivalry, emulation, jealousy”
Classical Greek Myth
Greek
Ζῆλος (Zêlos)
“the personified spirit of zeal and rivalry”
Late Latin
Latin
zelus
“zeal, jealousy, ardor”
Old French
Old French
zele
“zeal, fervor, devotion”
Middle English
English
zele
“devotion, fervor, eager enthusiasm”
Modern English
English
zeal
“great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective”