fierceness

adjective fiercer, fiercest

1. of a violently cruel nature; savage; wild: a fierce dog
2. violent; uncontrolled: a fierce storm
3. intensely eager; intense; ardent: a fierce embrace
4. ☆ Informal very distasteful, disagreeable, bad, etc.

Origin: ME fers < OFr fers, fier < L ferus, wild, savage < IE base *hwer-, wild animal > Gr thēr, animal