Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EARN'EST, a. [ern'est; Sax. eornest, or geornest, from georn, desirous, studious, diligent, assiduous, whence geornian, gyrnan, to desire, to yearn; Dan. gierne, willingly, freely, gladly, cheerfully; gierning, a deed, act, exploit; Ger. ernst; D. ernst; W. ern, earnest-money. The radical sense is to strive to advance, to reach forward, to urge, to strain.]

1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain; having a longing desire; warmly engaged or incited. They are never more earnest to disturb us, than when they see us most earnest in this duty. Duppa.
2. Ardent; warm; eager; zealous; animated; importunate; as, earnest in love; earnest prayer.
3. Intent; fixed. On that prospect strange / Their earnest eyes were fixed. Milton.
4. Serious; important; that is, really intent or engaged; whence the phrase, in earnest. To be in earnest, is to be really urging or stretching toward an object; intent on a pursuit. Hence, from fixed attention, comes the sense of seriousness in the pursuit, as opposed to trifling or jest. Are you in earnest or in jest?