Eager or enthusiastic interest in something; keen readiness or willingness shown with courtesy and grace (borrowed from French).
From French 'empressement' (eagerness, enthusiasm), derived from 'empresser' (to hurry, to bustle about). It combines 'em-' (to put into) + 'presse' (haste).
This gorgeous French word describes something English lacks—enthusiastic politeness! A person shows 'empressement' when they're genuinely eager to help you, and their enthusiasm is charming rather than overwhelming.
French 'empressement' (eagerness, bustle) carries feminized overtones in historical usage—women's hustle was often depicted as anxious, servile attentiveness rather than strategic action.
Use 'enthusiasm,' 'diligence,' or 'momentum' instead to avoid gendered implications of anxious eagerness.
["enthusiasm","diligence","momentum","dedication"]
Reframing women's work as strategic and deliberate, not anxious bustle, honors their agency and intentionality.
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