alacritous

Alacritous is an adjective meaning marked by alacrity: eager, cheerful readiness in action or response. It can describe a person, a reply, or an action that is performed quickly and with brisk enthusiasm.

Etymology: The word is derived from alacrity (from Latin alacritas, liveliness or eagerness), with the adjective form alacritous appearing in Early Modern English. It remains closely related to the noun and is often encountered in stylistic, archaic, or literary contexts.

Usage: In contemporary English, alacritous is rare and may sound old-fashioned or formal. It is more likely to be found in historical writing or rhetorical prose; more common synonyms include eager, prompt, swift, or ready. The term tends to be used to emphasize the speed and cheerfulness of a response.

Examples: The alacritous messenger delivered the summons. The committee praised her alacritous reply to the deadline, noting how quickly she provided the requested information.

See also: alacrity; readiness; alacritousness (rare).