emulous

adjective

em·​u·​lous ˈem-yə-ləs How to pronounce emulous (audio)
1
a
: inspired by or deriving from a desire to emulate
b
: ambitious or eager to emulate
2
obsolete : jealous
emulously adverb
emulousness noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulus "striving to equal or surpass, rivaling, envious," (as noun) "rival, competitor," of uncertain origin

Note: The adjective/noun aemulus appears to be formed from an otherwise unattested verbal base aem- and the suffix -ulus, denoting inclination or repetitive action (cf. crēdulus credulous, garrulus garrulous). Alternatively the formation has been taken as a diminutive of a noun base *aim-o- going back to a putative Indo-European *h2eim-o- "imitation," though the evidence for such a root outside Latin is exiguous, consisting solely of Hittite hima-, himma- "substitute, replica, toy." See also image entry 1, imitate.

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emulous was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near emulous

emulgent

emulous

emulsifiability

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Emulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emulous. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

emulous

adjective
em·​u·​lous ˈem-yə-ləs How to pronounce emulous (audio)
: eager or ambitious to emulate someone or something
emulously adverb
emulousness noun
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