enthusiasm

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈθjuːzɪaz(ə)m, ɛn-/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval: her energy and enthusiasm for life few expressed enthusiasm about the current leaders
  • [count noun] something that arouses enthusiasm: the three enthusiasms of his life were politics, religion, and books
  • 2 archaic, derogatory religious fervour supposedly resulting directly from divine inspiration, typically involving speaking in tongues and wild, uncoordinated movements of the body.

Origin:

early 17th century (in enthusiasm (sense 2)): from French enthousiasme, or via late Latin from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthous 'possessed by a god, inspired' (based on theos 'god')