See Also: fierce(dictionary)
fierce(dictionary)

fierce (iou)



fierce adjective & adverb. ME.
[Anglo-Norman fers, Old French fiers nom. of fer, fier (mod. fier proud) from Latin ferus untamed.]
A. adjective.
Of a violent and intractable temper; vehement in anger or hostility. ME.
Milton Moloc..The fiercest Spirit That fought in Heav'n; now fiercer by despair. P. F. Boller A blooded brood stallion with a fierce and ungovernable nature.
b. Of a mechanism: violent, not smooth or easy in action, forceful in effect. E20.
D. Halliday The brake was fiercer than I expected, but the thing was stable enough.
High-spirited, brave, valiant. ME-L17.
Proud, haughty. ME-L16.
Shakespeare 2 Henry VI He is fierce and cannot brook hard language.
Angry, violent; vehemently raging; unpleasantly strong or intense. ME.
Pope Music the fiercest grief can charm. W. S. Churchill A vessel which..could ride out the fiercest storms of the Atlantic ocean. J. Steinbeck The fierce light of the burning house.
Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. LME.
E. Nicholas He is..fierce for the Duke of Gloucesters returne. Pope Vengeful slaughter, fierce for human blood.
b. adverb. In a fierce manner. Now rare. ME.
Shakespeare 1 Henry VI Mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces.
fiercely adverb ME.
fierceness noun LME.