Obs. [f. EARNEST sb.1 + -FUL.]

1

  1.  Important; = EARNEST a. 3.

2

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Clerkes T., 1175. Lat us stynte of ernestful matere.

3

1534.  Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, I. (1540), 60. If so be of seryous and ernestfull maters, let hym vse grauytie.

4

  2.  = EARNEST a. 1. Also as quasi-adv.

5

c. 1430.  A. B. C. Aristotle, in Babees Bk. (1868), 11. E  to elenge, ne to excellent, ne to eernesful neiþer.

6

1533.  Bellenden, Livy, I. (1822), 73. Quhen the king wes behaldin this man maist earnistfull.

7

1563.  Davidson, Answ. Kennedy, in Misc. Wodr. Soc. (1844), 186. Zour Lordship’s earnestfull and godly desyre.

8

  Hence † Earnestfully adv.

9

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VIII. 144. He ansuerd ernystfully.

10