Minor Roots: ZEL-

Jealous much?

Saturdays are perfect days for enthusiastic surprises. Surprise—we’re talking about the minor root ZEL- today!

Some classic roots inspire just a handful of important and useful words. The Greek zēlos, meaning ardor, emulation, or eager rivalry, certainly falls into that category. The most obvious derivation of the root ZEL-, meaning ardor or enthusiasm, is zeal:

overzealous (adj) - excessively zealous

zeal (noun) - fervor for a person, cause or object; enthusiastic diligence; ardor

• a zealot is a person who shows zeal; a fanatic

• zealous means filled with or inspired by intense enthusiasm or zeal; fervent or ardent

However, the word jealous—which you may use way more often than zealous—is derived from the same root. Historically, jealousy had more positive connotations than it does today.

jealous (adj) - feeling or showing envy of or resentment for someone’s accomplishments, achievements, or advantages; covetous, mistrustful, or insecure

• jealousy is a feeling of envy, covetousness, or resentment