ferociousness

3 definitions found

ferociousness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  ferociousness \ferociousness\ n.
     the trait of extreme cruelty.
  
     Syn: brutality, viciousness, savageness, savagery.
          [WordNet 1.5]
  
                It [Christianity] has adapted the ferociousness of
                war.                                --Blair.
          [1913 Webster]

  Ferocious \Fe*ro"cious\, a. [L. ferox, -ocis, fierce: cf. F.
     f['e]roce. See Ferocity.]
     Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; ravenous;
     rapacious; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The humbled power of a ferocious enemy.  --Lowth.
  
     Syn: Ferocious, Fierce, Savage, Barbarous.
  
     Usage: When these words are applied to human feelings or
            conduct, ferocious describes the disposition; fierce,
            the haste and violence of an act; barbarous, the
            coarseness and brutality by which it was marked;
            savage, the cruel and unfeeling spirit which it
            showed. A man is ferocious in his temper, fierce in
            his actions, barbarous in the manner of carrying out
            his purposes, savage in the spirit and feelings
            expressed in his words or deeds. -- Fe*ro"cious*ly,
            adv. -- Fe*ro"cious*ness, n.
            [1913 Webster]

ferociousness - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  ferociousness
      n 1: the trait of extreme cruelty [syn: ferociousness,
           brutality, viciousness, savagery]