alac·ri·ty
noun \ə-ˈla-krə-tē\ : a quick and cheerful readiness to do something— alac·ri·tous adjective
Examples:
- "Captain! A little more alacrity, if you please!" (Mr. Spock to Captain Kirk, as they are fleeing from monstrous creatures)
- She accepted the invitation with an alacrity that surprised me.
- <having just acquired his driver's license that morning, the teen agreed with alacrity to drive his cousin to the airport>
- Surely one of the most striking features of human dynamics is the alacrity with which those who have been oppressed will oppress whomever they can once the opportunity presents itself. —Randall Kennedy, Atlantic, May 1997
Etymology:
Latin alacritas, from alacr-, alacer lively, eager
First Known Use: 15th century
