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Webster 1913 Edition

Fierce

Fierce

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Fiercer
;
sup
erl.
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.
–
Fierce′ly
,
adv.
–
Fierce′ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Fierce

FIERCE

,
Noun.
fers. [L. ferus, ferox, the primary sense of which is wild, running, rushing.]
1.
Vehement; violent; furious; rushing; impetuous; as a fierce wind.
2.
Savage; ravenous; easily enraged; as a fierce lion.
3.
Vehement in rage; eager of mischief; as a fierce tyrant; a monster fierce for blood.
4.
Violent; outrageous; not to be restrained.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce. Gen. 49.
5.
Passionate; angry; furious.
6.
Wild; staring; ferocious; as a fierce countenance.
7.
Very eager; ardent; vehement; as a man fierce for his party.

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