All 3 Uses of
earnest
in
The Fellowship of the Ring
- 'Do not speak of such things!' said Strider quickly, and with surprising earnestness.†
Chpt 1.11 *earnestness = sincerity or seriousness
- It is but a trifle that Sauron fancies, and an earnest of your good will.†
Chpt 2.2earnest = sincere or serious
- Have I not earnestly studied this matter?†
Chpt 2.2earnestly = sincerely or seriously
Definitions:
-
(1)
(earnest) characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious or determined -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Earnest can also be used as a name (variant spelling of Ernest), or to signify the seriousness of a pledge made (as when earnest money is included with an offer to purchase a home).