enthusiasm

Etymology

First attested from 1603, from Middle French enthousiasme, from Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmós), from ἐν (en, “in”) + θεός (theós, “god”) + οὐσία (ousía, “essence”).

noun

1. Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.
   Try to curb your enthusiasm.
   They have a great enthusiasm for country music.
2. Something in which one is keenly interested.
   My main enthusiasm is attending and seeing the progress and interest of collectors, to meet old friends, and hopefully to make new friends. 1968, Central States Archaeological Journal, volumes 15-16, page 154
   Other Adamsian enthusiasms included: fast cars; restaurants; Bach, the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits; […] 2012, Nicholas Joll, Philosophy and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, page 23
3. (obsolete or historical) Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
   The intoxication that they sought was that of ‘enthusiasm’, of union with the god. 1946, Bertrand Russell, chapter 1, in History of Western Philosophy