jealous
UK[ˈdʒeləs]US[ˈdʒeləs]
adj
Feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.
adj
Feeling or showing a resentful suspicion that one's partner is attracted to or involved with someone else.
adj
Fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions.
Morpheme Breakdown
jeal
ous
jeal
ardent, zealous
ous
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'jealous' entered English in the 13th century via the Old French 'jalous/gelos', which itself descended from the Late Latin 'zelosus', meaning 'full of zeal'. Its ultimate source is the Greek 'zēlos', signifying fervor, emulation, or passionate rivalry. This etymological journey reveals the conceptual link between intense dedication and possessive suspicion: the original sense of 'ardent zeal' gradually narrowed and specialized in English to denote the fervent, watchful, and often resentful desire to protect what is one's own or to possess what another has. Thus, the modern meanings of romantic vigilance, envious resentment, and protective fervor all stem from this core idea of passionate, single-minded intensity.
Analysis
Structure: jeal (ardent, zealous) + ous (adjective-forming suffix)
- jeal: A Middle English alteration of 'zeal', from Old French 'gelos', ultimately from Late Latin 'zelosus' (full of zeal), from Greek 'zēlos' (ardor, emulation, jealousy).
- ous: A suffix forming adjectives, from Old French '-ous, -eux', from Latin '-ōsus' (full of, prone to).
Examples
She felt jealous when her colleague received the promotion she had wanted.
His jealous nature made him question his partner's every interaction.
The company is jealous of its reputation for quality and customer service.