a. and sb. [ad. Gr. ἐνθουσιαστικ-ός, f. ἐνθουσιάζειν: see prec.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to enthusiasm, full of or characterized by enthusiasm.
† 1. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, possession by a deity. Also fig. Obs.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 1348. For an instrument and plectre (as it were) to set it [divination] aworke, we allow a spirit or winde, and an exhalation enthusiasticke.
1647. Crashaw, Poems, 112. Enthusiastic flames, such as can give Marrow to my plump genius.
1669. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, I. III. i. 288. The Forme or Mode, wherein the first Divine Poesie was delivered, was Enthusiastick.
1849. FitzGerald, trans. Whitaker’s Disp., 295. We do not speak of any enthusiastic influence of the Spirit.
† 2. Pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of mystical delusions in religion. Obs.
1690. Temple, Ess. Heroic Virtue, Wks. 1731, I. 220. Being built upon Foundations wholly Enthusiastick, and thereby very unaccountable to common Reason.
1727. Swift, Let. Eng. Tongue. During the usurpation … an infusion of enthusiastic jargon prevailed.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. ii. 194. The several Enthusiastic Sects that arise from time to time among Christians.
† b. transf. Irrational, ‘quixotic.’ Obs.
1692. Dryden, St. Euremont’s Ess., 34. The Decij, who Sacrificed themselves for the good of a Society, whom they went to forsake, seem to me truly Enthusiastick.
1775. Johnson, Tax. no Tyr., 10. An absurd and enthusiastick contempt of interest.
3. Of feelings, convictions, etc.: That is of the nature of, that amounts to, ENTHUSIASM 3; intensely ardent, rapturous. Of persons, their temperaments, actions, language, etc.: Characterized by or manifesting ENTHUSIASM 3.
1786. Burke, W. Hastings, Wks. 1813, XII. 401. Their military and enthusiastick spirit. Ibid. (1791), Lett. Member Nat. Assemb., Wks. VI. 39. A style, glowing, animated, enthusiastick.
1793. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), II. 276. The English will be wound up to a pitch of enthusiastic horror against France.
1808. Sir John Moore, in Jas. Moore, Camp. Spain (1809), 294. In aid of an enthusiastic brave people.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 72. Enthusiastic admirers of literature.
1876. Green, Short Hist., vii. 361. A burst of enthusiastic joy hailed the accession of Elizabeth.
† B. sb. = ENTHUSIAST 1, 2 b. Obs.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 56. There we saw Enthusiastikes, persons rapt with fury.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 326 (T.). The Dervis and other Santoons or Enthusiasticks being in the croud express their zeal by turning round.
1692. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 547. Some troopes were ordered to suppresse and seize upon the ringleaders of these enthusiasticks.
1707. E. Ward, Hud. Rediv. (1715), II. IX. Enthusiasticks flock’d in Shoales, To fight, not for their Lives, but Souls.
