alacrity

[uh-lak-ri-tee]

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noun

cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness: We accepted the invitation with alacrity.

liveliness; briskness.

Origin of alacrity

1500–10; < Latin alacritās, equivalent to alacri(s) lively + -tās- -ty²

Related formsa·lac·ri·tous, adjectiveun·a·lac·ri·tous, adjective

Synonyms for alacrity

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR alacrity ON THESAURUS.COM

1. eagerness, keenness; fervor, zeal. 2. sprightliness, agility.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for alacritous

rapid, prompt, hasty, brisk, immediate, hurried, expeditious, swift, unexpected, nimble, sudden, abrupt, quick, speedy, short, flying, express, spanking, precipitate, ready

Examples from the Web for alacritous

Historical Examples of alacritous

Before him every hat was doffed with alacritous esteem due to his age and worth.
Household stories from the Land of Hofer
R. H. Busk

British Dictionary definitions for alacritous

alacrity

noun

liveliness or briskness

Derived Formsalacritous, adjective

Word Origin for alacrity

C15: from Latin alacritās, from alacer lively

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alacritous

alacrity

mid-15c., from Latin alacritatem (nominative alacritas) "liveliness, ardor, eagerness," from alacer (genitive alacris) "cheerful, brisk, lively;" of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with Gothic aljan "zeal," Old English ellen "courage, zeal, strength," Old High German ellian.