earnest

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ear·nest1 / ˈərnist/ • adj. resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction: an earnest student.PHRASES: in earnest occurring to a greater extent or more intensely than before: after Labor Day the campaign begins in earnest. ∎  (of a person) sincere and serious in behavior or convictions.DERIVATIVES: ear·nest·ly adv.ear·nest·ness n.ear·nest2 • n. a thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come: the presence of the troops is an earnest of the world's desire not to see the conflict repeated elsewhere.

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