Hypertext Webster Gateway: "fierce"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fierce \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
fierce
adj 1: marked by extreme and violent energy; "a ferocious beating";
"fierce fighting"; "a furious battle" [syn: {ferocious},
{furious}, {savage}]
2: marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions;
inclined to react violently; fervid; "fierce loyalty";
"in a tearing rage"; "vehement dislike"; "violent
passions" [syn: {tearing}, {vehement}, {violent}, {trigger-happy}]
3: ruthless in competition; "cutthroat competition"; "bowelless
readiness to take advantage" [syn: {cutthroat}, {bowelless}]
4: violently agitated and turbulent; "boisterous winds and
waves"; "the fierce thunders roar me their music"- Ezra
Pound; "rough weather"; "rough seas" [syn: {boisterous}, {rough}]
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