Zealots

/ˈzɛləts/ noun

Definition

People who are extremely dedicated to a cause or belief, often to an excessive or fanatical degree.

Etymology

From Greek 'zelotes' meaning 'zealous' or 'emulator,' from 'zelos' (zeal); entered English via Latin and Old French, originally referring to Jewish resistance fighters.

Kelly Says

The word originally described a specific Jewish group fighting Romans in 66-70 CE, but became a general term for over-the-top believers—history transformed specific people into a universal category.

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