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.