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# fierce

adjective (fierce, fiercer, fiercest)

«fierce» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Angry, wild and likely to attack: «a fierce dog». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#m1)
2. Very strong or powerful: «a fierce storm», «fierce heat». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#m2)
3. Full of strong feeling or effort: «fierce competition». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#m3)
4. (slang) Bold and confident in a cool way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories, fierce animals and monsters scare the characters. In science and geography: fierce winds, fierce fires. In sports: «fierce rivals», «fierce match». Young people sometimes say «You look fierce!» meaning confident and stylish.

### Examples

- The fierce dog barked at the gate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x1)
- A fierce storm blew down the tree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x2)
- The two teams are fierce rivals. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x3)
- The tiger gave a fierce roar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x4)
- There was fierce competition for the prize. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x5)
- The fire was fierce and spread fast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x6)
- (slang) Love your new outfit — you look fierce! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x7)
- They had long legs and fierce eyes and sharp teeth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/#x8)

### Note

Spelling: «i before e» — fierce. Adverb: fiercely. Noun: fierceness. The slang sense is praise, not an insult.

## In Jewish tradition

It describes anger or wrath, as in God's "fierce wrath" or a nation of "fierce countenance."

**Interpretation.** Moses asks God to turn from fierce wrath, and tradition sees his prayer as a model of speaking up for others. Jacob rebukes the fierce anger of Simeon and Levi, teaching that anger should be controlled.

### Examples

- Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people. (Torah EXO.32.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x1)
- a nation of fierce countenance, that shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favour to the young. (Torah DEU.28.50, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x2)
- Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel; I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Torah GEN.49.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x3)
- Thy fierce wrath is gone over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. (Writings PSA.88.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x4)
- And the peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the fierce anger of the LORD. (Prophets JER.25.37, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x5)
- None is so fierce that dare stir him up; who then is able to stand before Me? (Writings JOB.41.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/#x6)

### Note

Spelling: «i before e» — fierce. Adverb: fiercely. Noun: fierceness. The slang sense is praise, not an insult.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fierce» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fierce/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fierce» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fierce.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «fierce» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fierce/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fierce» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/fierce.html) on Mova free.