Etymology : Middle English jelous, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin zelosus, from Late Latin zelus zeal; more at ZEAL
Pronunciation : je-l&s
Function : adjective
Date : 13th century
1. envious, covetous, resentful of another's possessions or success; caused by envy or resentment; having envious or resentful feelings; zealous, vigilant; intolerant. jealous\jeal"ous\ , a. [oe. jalous, gelus, of. jalous, f. jaloux, ll. zelosus zealous, fr. zelus emulation, zeal, jealousy, gr. zh^los. see:
zeal, and cf. zealous.].
2. zealous; solicitous; vigilant; anxiously watchful. i have been very jealous for the lord god of hosts. s xix.
3. how nicely jealous is every one of us of his own repute! h. more.
4. apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful. 'this doing wrong creates such doubts as these, renders us jealous and disturbs our peace. the people are so jealous of the clergy's ambition.
5. exacting exclusive devotion; intolerant of rivalry. thou shalt worship no other god; for the lord, whose name is jealous, is a jealous god. xxxiv.
6. 4. disposed to suspect rivalry in matters of interest and affection; apprehensive regarding the motives of possible rivals, or the fidelity of friends; distrustful; having morbid fear of rivalry in love or preference given to another; painfully suspicious of the faithfulness of husband, wife, or lover. if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife. v.
7. to both these sisters have i sworn my love: each jealous of the other, as the stung are of the adder. it is one of the best bonds, both of chastity and obedience, in the wife, if she think her husband wise; which she will never do if she find him jealous.
8. Zealous; solicitous; vigilant; anxiously watchful.
9. Apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful.
10. Exacting exclusive devotion; intolerant of rivalry.
11. Disposed to suspect rivalry in matters of interest and affection; apprehensive regarding the motives of possible rivals, or the fidelity of friends; distrustful; having morbid fear of rivalry in love or preference given to another; painfully suspicious of the faithfulness of husband, wife, or lover. suspicious or unduly suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rival; "a jealous lover".
12. 1. If someone is jealous, they feel angry or bitter because they think that another person is trying to take a lover or friend, or a possession, away from them. She got insanely jealous and there was a terrible fight. + jealously jeal·ous·ly The formula is jealously guarded.
13. If you are jealous of another person's possessions or qualities, you feel angry or bitter because you do not have them. She was jealous of his wealth You're jealous because the record company rejected your idea. + jealously jeal·ous·ly Gloria eyed them jealously.