'ARDOR, noun [Latin] 1. Heat, in a literal sense; as, the ardor of the sun's rays. 2. Warmth, or heat, applied to the passions and affections; eagerness; as, he pursues study with ardor; they fought with ardor Milton uses the word for person or spirit bright and effulgent, but by an unusual license.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI