sincere

adj

Etymology: From Middle French sincere, from Latin sincerus (“genuine”), from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“together”) (whence English sam) + *ḱer- (“grow”) (whence Latin Ceres, the goddess of harvest, etymon of cereal). Not from sine (“without”) + cera (“wax”), a folk etymology; see Wikipedia page.

1. Genuine; meaning what one says or does; heartfelt.

   “I believe he is sincere in his offer to help.”

   “Tumid blustering, with more or less of sincerity, which need not be entirely sincere, yet the sincerer the better, is like to go far.”

2. Meant truly or earnestly.

   “She gave it a sincere if misguided effort.”

   “The message that through sincere teshuvah and resolution, light and gladness can be achieved by all, is most fitting for the opening of the Yom Kippur service.”

3. clean; pure

name

1. A male given name.