-ard, -art. The termination of many English words; as, coward, reynard, drunkard, mostly from the French, in which language this ending is of German origin, being orig. the same word as English hard. It usually has the sense of one who has to a high or excessive degree the quality expressed by the root; as, braggart, sluggard.
||Ar*das"sine (&?;), n. [F. (cf. Sp. ardacina), fr. ardasse a kind of silk thread, fr. Ar. & Per. ardan a kind of raw silk.] A very fine sort of Persian silk.
Ar"den*cy (&?;), n. 1. Heat. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
2. Warmth of passion or affection; ardor; vehemence; eagerness; as, the ardency of love or zeal.
Ar"dent (&?;), a. [OE. ardaunt, F. ardant, p. pr. of arder to burn, fr. L. ardere.] 1. Hot or burning; causing a sensation of burning; fiery; as, ardent spirits, that is, distilled liquors; an ardent fever.
2. Having the appearance or quality of fire; fierce; glowing; shining; as, ardent eyes. Dryden.
3. Warm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate; fervent; zealous; vehement; as, ardent love, feelings, zeal, hope, temper.
An ardent and impetuous race.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Burning; hot; fiery; glowing; intense; fierce; vehement; eager; zealous; keen; fervid; fervent; passionate; affectionate.
Ar"dent*ly (&?;), adv. In an ardent manner; eagerly; with warmth; affectionately; passionately.