from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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His fierce thunder drove us to the deep. --Milton.
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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.
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The fierce foe hung upon our broken rear. --Milton.
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Thou huntest me as a fierce lion. --Job. x. 16.
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3. Excessively earnest, eager, or ardent.
Syn: Ferocious; savage; cruel; vehement; impetuous;
barbarous; fell. See {Ferocious}. -- {Fierce"ly}, adv.
-- {Fierce"ness}, n.
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