ea|ger

ea|ger¹ «EE guhr», adjective.

1. wanting very much; desiring very strongly; anxious to do or get something: »

The child is eager to have the candy.

2. characterized by or showing keenness of desire or strength of feeling: »

eager looks, an eager contest.

3. Archaic. biting; keen: »

It is a nipping and an eager air (Shakespeare).

4. Obsolete. fierce.

╂[< Old French aigre < Latin ācer, ācris keen]

–ea´ger|ly, adverb.

–ea´ger|ness, noun.

Synonym Study 1 Eager, keen, anxious mean strongly moved by desire or interest. Eager suggests being excited or impatient about something one wants to do or have: »

The boys were eager to start building the clubhouse.

Keen suggests being moved to energetic or enthusiastic action by great interest or sharp desire: »

They were keen to get the work done.

Anxious sometimes suggests fear of being disappointed and not getting what is wanted: »

She is anxious that we should all like her new friend.

ea|ger² «EE guhr, AY-», noun.

= eagre. (Cf. ↑eagre)