a. [f. prec. + -AL.]
† 1. Of the nature of possession by a deity; = ENTHUSIASTIC 1. Obs. rare.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., vi. 183. This way of communicating truth to the souls of men is originally nothing else but prophetical or enthusiastical.
† 2. = ENTHUSIASTIC 2. Obs.
1656. H. More, Enthus. Tri. (1712), 25. We are speaking now of Enthusiastical Sanguine.
1677. W. Hubbard, Narrative, II. 61. Squando..., that Enthusiastical, or rather Diabolical Miscreant.
1679. T. Puller, Moder. Ch. Eng., 484. This one Enthusiastical Conceit of the Light within is the most unhappy contrivance and suggestion that can be.
1696. C. Leslie, Snake in Grass (1697), 92. The … Enthusiastical Murthers, Rapines, and Outrage of the Zealots.
1729. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 174. The subject is a real one: there is nothing in it enthusiastical or unreasonable.
1752. Carte, Hist. Eng., III. 82. The enthusiastical and seditious opinions of Muncer and the Anabaptists.
a. 1847. Mrs. Sherwood, Lady of Manor, I. ix. 401. A set of enthusiastical Methodists.
† b. transf. Moved by irrational impulses; visionary; fanatically devoted to an idea or belief.
1614. T. Adams, Devil’s Banquet, 331. Some will minister nothing, but what comes next into their heads and hands: these are Enthusiasticall Phisitians.
1680. Burnet, Rochester, 82. They are neither hot nor Enthusiastical, but under the power of calm and clear Principles.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac. (1737), III. 64. There have been in reality Enthusiastical Atheists.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 63, ¶ 4. That all are equally happy … none is sufficiently enthusiastical to maintain.
3. = ENTHUSIASTIC 3. arch.
1782. V. Knox, Ess. (1819), III. cxviii. 1. The enthusiastical admirers of a favourite author.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Mor. T. (1816), I. x. 82. The old man, whose temper was not quite so enthusiastical.
1814. Miss O’Keefe, Zenobia, I. 4. A birth transcending human expectation could not create a more enthusiastical sensation.
