ardent, ardaunt

[In Fr. ardent; 0. Fr. ardaunt Sp. ardiente; Port. & Ital. ardente; Lat. ardens, pr. par. of ardeo = to burn.] L. Of material things: 1. Burning, in a literal sense. "... more ardent than the blaze of fire." Cowper: Homer's Iliad , b. xviii. 2. Fiery to the taste. "... wine, tea, and ardent spirits..."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng . , ch. iii. 3. Shining, brilliant, reminding one of the reflection of fire. "A knight of swarthy face. High on a cole-black steed pursued the chace; With flashing flames his ardent eyes were fill'd." Dryden: Theodore & Honoria. II. Of emotions or conduct: 1. Warm in affection, in pa ion, or desire. "Ardent and intrepid on the field of battle, Mon mouth was everywhere else effeminate and irresolute." -Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch, v. 2. Inspired by warm feeling, and therefore powerful as a flame in its effects; warm or even more than warm. "Her manner was warm and even ardent."-De Quincey's Works (ed. 1863), vol. ii., p. 134. ar-dent-ly, adv . [Eng. ardent ; -ly.] In an ardent manner; with warmth of desire or affection; with warmth of emotion generally; affectionately, pa ionately. "What ardently I wish'd. I long believed." Cowper: On Receipt of my Mother's Picture.