zealot

noun zeal·ot \ˈze-lət\

: a person who has very strong feelings about something (such as religion or politics) and who wants other people to have those feelings : a zealous person

Full Definition of ZEALOT

capitalized : a member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea during the first century a.d. and militantly opposing the Roman domination of Palestine

: a zealous person; especially : a fanatical partisan <a religious zealot>

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Origin of ZEALOT

Late Latin zelotes, from Greek zēlōtēs, from zēlos

First Known Use: 1537

Related to ZEALOT

Synonyms: crusader, fanatic, ideologue (also idealogue), militant, partisan (also partizan), red hot, true believer

Antonyms: nonmilitant

Rhymes with ZEALOT

helot, pellet

Learn More About ZEALOT

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "zealot"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "zealot"

Nglish: Translation of "zealot" for Spanish speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "zealot"

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