earnest
Cross references:
1. serious
1. ear.nest \'*r-n*st\ n [ME ernest, fr. OE eornost; akin to OHG ernust
earnest] : a serious and intent mental state {in ~}
2. earnest \-n*st-n*s, -n*-sn*s\ aj 1: characterized by or proceeding from
an intense and serious state of min d 2: GRAVE, IMPORTANT - ear.nest.ly av
3. earnest n [ME ernes, ernest, fr. OF erres, pl. of erre earnest, f]r. L
arra, short for arrabo, fr. Gk arrhabo-n, fr. Heb 'e-ra-bho-n 1: something
of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain 2: a token of what
is to come : PLEDGE