Part 3567

<blockquote>And from his coffers Received the golden <b>earnest</b> of our death. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale.</def>

<i>Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin.</i>

<cs><col>Earnest money</col> <fld>(Law)</fld>, <cd>money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- <er>Earnest</er>, <er>Pledge</er>.</syn> <usage>These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. <i>Earnest</i> is not so strong as <i>pledge</i>. An <i>earnest</i>, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a <i>pledge</i>, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave <i>earnest</i> of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a <i>pledge</i> of their ultimate triumph.</usage>

<h1>Earnestful</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"nest*ful</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Serious.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Earnestly</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"nest*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In an earnest manner.</def>

<h1>Earnestness</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"nest*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety.</def>

<blockquote>An honest <b>earnestness</b> in the young man's manner. <i>W. Irving.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Earnful</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Earn"ful</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[From <er>Earn</er> to yearn.]</ety> <def>Full of anxiety or yearning.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>P. Fletcher.</i>

<h1>Earning</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Earn"ing</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Earnings</plw> <tt>(<?/)</tt>.</plu> <def>That which is earned; wages gained by work or services; money earned; -- used commonly in the plural.</def>

<blockquote>As to the common people, their stock is in their persons and in their <b>earnings</b>. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Earpick</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"pick`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>An instrument for removing wax from the ear.</def>

<h1>Ear-piercer</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"-pier`cer</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>The earwig.</def>

<h1>Earreach</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"reach`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Earshot.</def>

<i>Marston.</i>

<h1>Earring</h1> <Xpage=465>

<hw>Ear"ring`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>An ornament consisting of a ring passed through the lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant.</def>