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. [ 1913 Webster ]
His fierce thunder drove us to the deep. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
The fierce foe hung upon our broken rear. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Thou huntest me as a fierce lion. Job. x. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Excessively earnest, eager, or ardent.
Syn. -- Ferocious; savage; cruel; vehement; impetuous; barbarous; fell. See Ferocious.
-- Fierce"ly, adv. -- Fierce"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]