[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

earnest \ear"nest\, n. prob. corrupted fr. f. arrhes, l. arra,
   arrha, arrhabo, gr. 'arrabw`n, of semitic origin, cf. heb.
   =er=av=on; or perh. fr. w. ernes, akin to gael. earlas,
   perh. fr. l. arra. cf. arles, earles penny.
   1. something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge;
      pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
      1913 webster

            who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of
            the spirit in our hearts.             --2 cor. i.
                                                  22.
      1913 webster

            and from his coffers
            received the golden earnest of our death. --shak.
      1913 webster

   2. law something of value given by the buyer to the seller,
      by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove
      the sale. --kent. ayliffe. benjamin.
      1913 webster

   earnest money law, money paid as earnest, to bind a
      bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.

   syn: earnest, pledge.

   usage: these words are here compared as used in their
          figurative sense. earnest is not so strong as pledge.
          an earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at
          least a high probability, that more is coming of the
          same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords
          security and ground of reliance for the future.
          washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by
          saving his troops after braddock's defeat; his
          fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter
          at valley forge might rightly be considered a pledge
          of their ultimate triumph.
          1913 webster
see also:
arles earles penny earnest money earnest pledge 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

earnest money
     n : money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract

Money >> M Words
Money, definition of term: Money
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Earnest >> E Words
Earnest, definition of term: Earnest
earnest_pag1.html

Money Market >> M Words
Money Market, definition of term: Money Market
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Money Belt >> M Words
Money Belt, definition of term: Money Belt
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Money Spider >> M Words
Money Spider, definition of term: Money Spider
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Money Supply >> M Words
Money Supply, definition of term: Money Supply
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Money Order >> M Words
Money Order, definition of term: Money Order
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Money Launderin >> M Words
Money Launderin, definition of term: Money Launderin
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Paper Money >> P Words
Paper Money, definition of term: Paper Money
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Pin Money >> P Words
Pin Money, definition of term: Pin Money
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