En*thu"si*asm (?), n. [Gr. ? , fr.
? to be inspired or possessed by the god, fr. ?, ?, inspired:
cf. enthousiasme. See Entheal, Theism.]
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.