Definition of ZEALOT

zealot

Meanings

Plural: zealots

Noun

  • a member of an ancient Jewish sect in Judea in the first century who fought to the death against the Romans and who killed or persecuted Jews who collaborated with the Romans
  • a fervent and even militant proponent of something
  • One who is zealous, one who is full of zeal for their own specific beliefs or objectives, usually in the negative sense of being too passionate; a fanatic.
  • A member of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent in the first century, who advocated the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisted the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to convert the Jews.
  • A member of an anti-aristocratic political group in Thessalonica from 1342 until 1350.

Origin / Etymology

Initially only found as Middle English zelote, an epithet of Simon the Zealot, acquiring its current senses in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Middle English derives from Latin zēlōtēs, from Ancient Greek ζηλωτής (zēlōtḗs, “emulator, zealous admirer, follower”), from ζηλόω (zēlóō, “to emulate, to be jealous”), from ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”).

Antonyms

nonpartisan

Scrabble Score: 15

zealot is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
zealot is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
zealot is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

zealot is a valid Words With Friends word