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ardor

 - 3 dictionary results

ar⋅dor

  [ahr-der]
Use ardor in a Sentence
–noun
1. great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion: She spoke persuasively and with ardor.
2. intense devotion, eagerness, or enthusiasm; zeal: his well-known ardor for Chinese art.
3. burning heat.
Also, especially British, ardour.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L, equiv. to ārd(ēre) to burn + -or -or 1 ; r. ME ardure < OF ardur < L, as above; 17th century ardour < AF < L, as above

Synonyms:
1. fervency, spirit, earnestness, intensity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ardor
ar·dor   (är'dər)   
n.  

  1. Fiery intensity of feeling. See Synonyms at passion.

  2. Strong enthusiasm or devotion; zeal: "The dazzling conquest of Mexico gave a new impulse to the ardor of discovery" (William Hickling Prescott).

  3. Intense heat or glow, as of fire.


[Middle English ardour, from Old French, from Latin ārdor, from ārdēre, to burn; see as- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ardor 
c.1386, "heat of passion or desire," from O.Fr. ardour, from L. ardorem (nom. ardor) "a flame, fire," from ardere "to burn" (see ardent). In M.E., used of base passions; since Milton's time, of noble ones.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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