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.