emulous

adjective

em·​u·​lous ˈem-yə-ləs 

1

a

: inspired by or deriving from a desire to emulate

b

: ambitious or eager to emulate

2

obsolete : jealous

emulously adverb

emulousness noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulus "striving to equal or surpass, rivaling, envious," (as noun) "rival, competitor," of uncertain origin

Note: The adjective/noun aemulus appears to be formed from an otherwise unattested verbal base aem- and the suffix -ulus, denoting inclination or repetitive action (cf. crēdulus credulous, garrulus garrulous). Alternatively the formation has been taken as a diminutive of a noun base *aim-o- going back to a putative Indo-European *h₂eim-o- "imitation," though the evidence for such a root outside Latin is exiguous, consisting solely of Hittite hima-, himma- "substitute, replica, toy." See also image entry 1, imitate.

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

emulous

adjective

em·​u·​lous ˈem-yə-ləs 

: eager or ambitious to emulate someone or something

emulously adverb

emulousness noun