5 uses
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Definition
characterized by sincere belief
or:
intensely or excessively serious
or:
intensely or excessively serious
- But if indeed thou sayest this in earnest, then verily the gods themselves have destroyed thy wit.Book 7 (75% in)
- Of a truth he came to Mykene, not in enmity, but as a guest with godlike Polyneikes, to raise him an army for the war that they were levying against the holy walls of Thebes; and they besought earnestly that valiant allies might be given them, and our folk were fain to grant them and made assent to their entreaty, only Zeus showed omens of ill and turned their minds.Book 4 (69% in)
- But if thou verily speakest thus in earnest, then the gods themselves have utterly destroyed thy wits; thou that bidst us forget the counsels of loud-thundering Zeus, that himself promised me, and confirmed with a nod of his head!Book 12 (49% in)
- Then unto Hera, earnestly beseeching her,' he spake winged words: "Hera, wherefore hath thy son assailed my stream to vex it above others?Book 21 (60% in)
- And unto her in answer spake cloud-gathering Zeus: "Be of good cheer, Trito-born, dear child: not in full earnest speak I, and I would fain be kind to thee.Book 22 (35% in)
There are no more uses of "earnest" in The Iliad by Homer (translated by: Lang, Leaf, & Myers).
Typical Usage
(best examples)