earnest2

 
Pronunciation: /ˈəːnɪst/

noun

[in singular]
  • a thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come: the very deliberateness of their disguise is an earnest of their real aloofness

Origin:

Middle English ernes, literally 'instalment paid to confirm a contract', based on Old French erres, from Latin arra, shortened form of arrabo 'a pledge'. The spelling was influenced by words ending in -ness; the final -t is probably by association with earnest1

Spelling help

Remember that earnest begins with ea-.

make earnest efforts to be active.