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ar·dent

(ärdnt)

adj.

1. Expressing or characterized by warmth of feeling; passionate: an ardent lover.

2. Displaying or characterized by strong enthusiasm or devotion; fervent: "an impassioned age, so ardent and serious in its pursuit of art" (Walter Pater).

a. Burning; fiery.

b. Glowing; shining: ardent eyes.

[Middle English ardaunt, from Old French ardant, from Latin ārdēns, ārdent-, present participle of ārdēre, to burn; see as- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

arden·cy (-dn-sē) n.

ardent·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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