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earnest

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earnest

Main Entry:: ¹ear·nest
Pronunciation:: \ˈər-nəst\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English ernest, from Old English eornost; akin to Old High German ernust earnest
Date:: before 12th century

1 : a serious and intent mental state <a proposal made in earnest> 2 : a considerable or impressive degree or amount <the sap started running in earnest>

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