fierce

fierce
adjective (fiercer; fiercest) Etymology: Middle English fiers, from Anglo-French fer, fers, fiers, from Latin ferus wild, savage; akin to Greek thēr wild animal Date: 14th century 1. a. violently hostile or aggressive in temperament b. given to fighting or killing ; pugnacious 2. a. marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence <
a fierce argument
>
b. extremely vexatious, disappointing, or intense <
fierce pain
>
3. furiously active or determined <
make a fierce effort
>
4. wild or menacing in appearance • fierceness noun Synonyms: fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack <
fierce warriors
>
. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <
a ferocious dog
>
. barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people <
barbarous treatment of prisoners
>
. savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <
a savage criminal
>
. cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it <
the cruel jokes of schoolboys
>
.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • fierce — [fıəs US fırs] adj [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: fiers, from Latin ferus wild ] 1.) done with a lot of energy and strong feelings, and sometimes violent ▪ There was fierce fighting in the city. fierce attack/opposition/criticism etc ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • fierce´ly — fierce fierce «fihrs», adjective, fierc|er, fierc|est. 1. savage; wild; ferocious: »A wounded lion can be fierce. 2. Figurative. raging; …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fierce — [ fırs ] adjective ** 1. ) involving very strong feelings such as determination, anger, or hate: fierce debate/criticism: The proposals provoked a fierce debate. a ) very angry or ready to attack: FEROCIOUS: He looked so fierce. a fierce lion 2.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Fierce! — is an international performance festival produced by Fierce Earth that has taken place annually in and around Birmingham, England since 1997. [http://www.fiercetv.co.uk/index.php?controller=feature mm action=view id=28 Introduction to Fierce! 10… …   Wikipedia

  • fierce — 1 Fierce, truculent, ferocious, barbarous, savage, inhuman, cruel, fell are comparable when they mean displaying fury or malignity in looks or in actions. Fierce is applied to men or to animals that inspire terror because of their menacing aspect …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Fierce — was a three piece R B group from the United Kingdom. They were signed to Wildstar Records and scored four hit singles on the UK Singles Chart in 1999 and 2000. [Search for Fierce performed at [http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php Everyhit.com]… …   Wikipedia

  • fierce — [firs] adj. fiercer, fiercest [ME fers < OFr fers, fier < L ferus, wild, savage < IE base * g̑hwer , wild animal > Gr thēr, animal] 1. of a violently cruel nature; savage; wild [a fierce dog] 2. violent; uncontrolled [a fierce storm]… …   English World dictionary

  • fierce — fierce·ly; fierce·ness; fierce; …   English syllables

  • Fierce — (* in Bristol, England; bürgerlicher Name Daniel Burke) ist ein Drum ’n’ Bass Produzent. Sowohl als DJ, als auch als Produzent zeichnet er sich durch energiegeladene Tracks aus und zählt zu den Vertretern der eher härteren Gangart des Drum ’n’… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • fierce — mid 13c., proud, noble, bold, from O.Fr. fers, nom. form of fer, fier strong, overwhelming, violent, fierce, wild; proud, mighty, great, impressive (Mod.Fr. fier proud, haughty ), from L. ferus wild, untamed, from PIE root *ghwer wild, wild… …   Etymology dictionary

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