Enthusiasm is founded neither on reason nor divine
revelation, but rises from the conceits of a warmed
or overweening imagination. --Locke.
2. A state of impassioned emotion; transport; elevation of
fancy; exaltation of soul; as, the poetry of enthusiasm.
Resolutions adopted in enthusiasm are often repented
of when excitement has been succeeded by the wearing
duties of hard everyday routine. --Froude.
Exhibiting the seeming contradiction of
susceptibility to enthusiasm and calculating
shrewdness. --Bancroft.
3. Enkindled and kindling fervor of soul; strong excitement
of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject; ardent and
imaginative zeal or interest; as, he engaged in his
profession with enthusiasm.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
--Emerson.
4. Lively manifestation of joy or zeal.
Philip was greeted with a tumultuous enthusiasm.
--Prescott.