fierce English · revision 15085

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1240|origins=ine-pro *ghwer-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /fɪəs/, US /fɪrs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|fiers]], [[bor|xno|fers]] and [[fro|fiers]], the nominative of [[m|fro|fier|t=wild, fierce, proud]] (modern [[fr|fier|t=proud]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|ferus|t=wild, untamed]] (see [[feral]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) cognate with [[grc|θήρ|tr=thḗr|t=wild animal]] and [[lt|žvėris|t=wild beast]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*ghwer-|t=wild beast]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is a rare case of a French word entering English in the nominative, because fierce was much used as an epithet and surname while its old sense, brave, was current.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Proud, noble, bold: in the surname Fiers, 1240, in Barnhart; the mid-13th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Proud or haughty (about 1290) and brave or valiant (1297) are the earliest senses in the OED; they died out in the 16th century.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Ferocious and savage is used of persons from about 1300, and of animals from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Of fire, wind, passion and other forces it is from before 1300,^(OED 1989) and ardent or eager from 1377.^(OED 1989) Of things acting strongly it is from 1912.^(OED 1989) In northern Yorkshire ''as fierce as a blind pig'' meant able to do anything.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1240 – Fiers (surname).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1290 – proud (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – ferocious, of persons.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1377 – of animals; ardent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – the sense brave dies out.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1912 – of things, forceful.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a violent, savage nature; [[ferocious]]: ''a fierce dog''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Wild or violent in force: ''a fierce storm''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Intense or vehement: ''fierce competition''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Very difficult or unpleasant.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' Of a person, especially a woman, strong and self-confident.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fiercely]]

+ * [[fierceness]]

+ * [[overfierce]]

+ * [[unfierce]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[feral]]

+ * [[ferity]]

+ * [[ferocious]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}