a. Also 6 Sc. ymulis, 7–8 æmulous. [f. L. æmul-us of same meaning + -OUS.]
1. a. Desirous of rivalling, imitating, obtaining. Const. of. † b. Of things: Closely resembling, imitative of (obs. rare).
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. lxiv. (1495), 280. In theym that haue the Lepra that hyghte Elephancia the colour and hewe is emulous.
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 822. By strength They measure all, or other excellence not emulous.
a. 1721. Prior, Ep. Mr. Howard, 59. Good Howard, emulous of the Grecian art.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. VIII. 291. Emulous of the glory of the youthful hero.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, x. (1876), 110. Emulous of Messrs. Aaron Levi & Co.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Result, Wks. (Bohn), II. 135. Kingdoms emulous of free institutions.
2. Filled with emulation; actuated by the spirit of rivalry. † Formerly also in weaker sense: = RIVAL a.
1617. Bp. J. Hall, Contempl., I. 147. The fire issuing from God upon their [Moses’ and Aaron’s] emulous opposites.
1625. K. Long, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, III. v. 164. The two æmulous suiters.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., IV. ii. (1654), 300. The emulous Schools of Sammai and Hillel.
1725–6. Pope, Odyss., VI. 105. Æmulous the royal robes they lave.
1851. Longf., Gold. Leg., School Salerno. Where every emulous scholar hears … The rustling of another’s laurels!
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., VI. xlv. 421. The stream of emulous admirers.
† 3. a. Greedy of praise or power. b. Envious.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 243. He is not emulous, as Achilles is.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 206. I am censured by some emulous accusers.
1655–60. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 111/1.
| What a Son thou hast, now may | |
| All my æmulous Neighbours say. |
4. Of actions, feelings, etc.: Proceeding from, or of the nature of, emulation or rivalry. † Also, zealous, earnest (obs.).
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., III. 431. Turne all your mad murning In ymulis prayer and [in] grit louing.
1693. Smallridge, Jul. Cæsar, in Dryden, Plutarch, IV. 466. This Passion was a kind of æmulous struggle with himself.
1782. V. Knox, Ess. (1819), II. cxvi. 288. The profusion of emulous extravagance.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 408. Poets sang with emulous fervour the approach of the golden age.
1871. Rossetti, Poems, Sonn. iv. Kiss. Till love’s emulous ardours ran, Fire within fire, desire in deity.
