Fierce (?), a. [Compar. Fiercer (?); superl. Fiercest (?).] [OE. fers, fiers, OF. fier, nom. fiers, fierce, savage, cruel, F. fier proud, from L. ferus wild, savage, cruel; perh. akin to E. bear the animal. Cf. Feral, Ferocity.]

1.

Furious; violent; unrestrained; impetuous; as, a fierce wind.

His fierce thunder drove us to the deep. Milton.

2.

Vehement in anger or cruelty; ready or eager to kill or injure; of a nature to inspire terror; ferocious.

"A fierce whisper." Dickens. "A fierce tyrant." Pope.

The fierce foe hung upon our broken rear. Milton.

Thou huntest me as a fierce lion. Job. x. 16.

3.

Excessively earnest, eager, or ardent.

Syn. -- Ferocious; savage; cruel; vehement; impetuous; barbarous; fell. See Ferocious.

-- Fierce"ly, adv. -- Fierce"ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.