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ardor

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryar·dor \ˈär-dər\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English ardour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin ardor burning, heat, ardor, from aridusdry — more at arid DATE 14th century1. a. an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling the sudden ardors of youth b. extreme vigor or energy : intensity c. zeal d. loyalty2. sexual excitementSynonyms: see passionEnglish Etymologyardor late 14c., "heat of passion or desire," from O.Frhttp://O.Fr. ardour (12c.), 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.Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedar·dornounor ar·dour \ˈärdər, ˈȧdə(r)\(-s)Etymology: Middle English ardour, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ardour, from Latin ardor, from ardēre to burn; akin to Old High German essa forge, Old Norse arinn hearth, Latin arēre to be dry, aridus dry, Greek azein to parch, Sanskrit āsa ashes, dust1. a. : warmth or heat of emotion, feeling, or sentiment < enough ardor in his tone to melt a heart of ice — Joseph Conrad > : spirit < impressed the House as much by candor as by ardor — S.E.Morison > : passion < gave him love potions and herb teas to increase his ardor — Willa Cather > b. : extreme vigor, force, or energy : intensity < its ardor was the greater for being so long delayed — V.L.Parrington > c. (1) : intense enthusiasm or eagerness : fervor, zeal < his ardor cooled off in the course of the war — Edmund Wilson > < desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation — Mary W. Shelley > (2) : deep-seated devotion : fidelity, loyalty < loving this country with that extra ardor of the immigrant — John Mason Brown >2. : strong or burning heat : fire, flame < the ardor of the noonday sun >3. : an instance or an expression of an ardent emotion < the stress of unbridled ardors — H.M.Parshley >Synonyms: see passion

Ardor From C Latin Of Ar·Dor Noun Middle