ferocity
UK: fəˈrɒsɪti | US: fəˈrɑːsɪti
n. the state or quality of being ferocious; extreme fierceness or violence
n. intense aggressiveness or savagery
ferocity = feroc<savage> + ity<noun suffix>
- feroc: From Latin ferox (wild, fierce), derived from ferus (wild, untamed).
- ity: A noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality (e.g., "brutality," "curiosity").
Etymology Origin:
The word "ferocity" traces back to Latin ferocitas, from ferox (fierce), which itself stems from ferus (wild). The suffix -ity was added in Middle English to form an abstract noun denoting the quality of being ferocious. The evolution reflects a logical progression from "wildness" (ferus) to "fierceness" (ferox) to the modern concept of aggressive intensity (ferocity).
The lion attacked its prey with unmatched ferocity.
Her ferocity in debate earned her both admirers and critics.
The storm struck the coast with sudden ferocity.
His ferocity on the battlefield was legendary.
The protest escalated into violence, marked by moments of shocking ferocity.