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 ] | 
