- enthusiastic
- c.1600, "pertaining to possession by a deity," from Gk. enthousiastikos, from enthousiazein (see enthusiasm). Meaning "pertaining to irrational delusion in religion" is from 1690s. The main modern sense, in reference to feelings or persons, "intensely eager, rapturous," is from late 18c. Earlier derogatory sense especially seems to have colored modern sense of enthusiast. Related: Enthusiastically.