Definition of "ardent"

This ardent exploration, absorbing all his energy and interest, made him forget for the moment the mystery of his heritage and the anomaly that cut him off from all his fellows.

1956, Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars, page 43

I see by your eagerness and the wonder and hope which your eyes express, my friend, that you expect to be informed of the secret with which I am acquainted; that cannot be; listen patiently until the end of my story, and you will easily perceive why I am reserved upon that subject. I will not lead you on, unguarded and ardent as I then was, to your destruction and infallible misery.

1818, Mary Shelley, chapter 4, in Frankenstein‎, archived from the original on 30 October 2011

Nor gushing tears, nor ardent prayers, shall shake our firm decree.

1750, “Theodora”, Thomas Morell (lyrics), George Frideric Handel (music)‎