- jeal|ous
- jeal|ous «JEHL uhs», adjective.1. fearful that a person one loves may love someone else or prefer someone else: »
When my brother sees Mother holding the new baby, he becomes jealous. One may be jealous of the person loved or of the rival.
2. full of envy; envious: »He is jealous of his brother's skill at games.
SYNONYM(S): grudging, resentful.3. requiring complete loyalty or faithfulness: »“The Lord thy God is a jealous God.”
4. watchful in keeping or guarding something; careful: »Our city is jealous of its rights within the state.
5. close; watchful; suspicious: »The dog was such a jealous guardian of the little girl that he would not let her cross the street.
7. Obsolete. doubtful: »That you do love me, I am nothing jealous (Shakespeare).
╂[< Old French gelos (with English -ous) < Late Latin zēlōsus < Latin zēlus zeal < Greek zêlos. See etym. of doublet zealous. (Cf. ↑zealous)]–jeal´ous|ly, adverb.–jeal´ous|ness, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.