emulous

American  

[em-yuh-luhs] / ˈɛm yə ləs /

adjective

1. desirous of equaling or excelling; filled with emulation.

   boys emulous of their fathers.

2. arising from or of the nature of emulation, as actions or attitudes.

3. Obsolete. jealous; envious.

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emulous British  

/ ˈɛmjʊləs /

adjective

1. desiring or aiming to equal or surpass another; competitive

2. characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation

3. archaic envious or jealous

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Other Word Forms

• emulously adverb
• emulousness noun
• nonemulous adjective
• nonemulously adverb
• nonemulousness noun
• unemulous adjective

Etymology

Origin of emulous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin aemulus “vying with”; -ulous

Example Sentences

Cultivator of the gardens of the mind, himself the very bud and bloom of humanistic learning, he follows Socrates in having taken as his modus operandi the emulous pursuit of all that is most excellent.

From Time Magazine Archive

Every young divinity-student, especially, seems emulous of this troublesome appendage.

From The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion or, Familiar Letters to his Nephews by Lunettes, Henry

Thomas Cavendish, emulous of Drake’s example, fitted out three vessels for an expedition to the South sea in 1586.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various

English philosophy was too bashful, and should be more emulous in this field of competition.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Groups of young men in gaily-coloured and picturesque coats, were seated in separate circles each possessing a kānūn or other instrument players of its own, emulous to surpass the notes of his neighbour. 

From The Thistle and the Cedar of Lebanon by Risk Allah, Habeeb