I.a wild or untamed spirit, fierceness, in a good or bad sense (class.).
I. In a good sense, spirit, courage, bravery: “infirmitas puerorum et ferocitas juvenum et gravitas jam constantis aetatis et senectutis maturitas naturale quiddam habet,” Cic. de Sen. 10, 33: “Romana virtus et ferocia,” Liv. 9, 6 fin.: “ferociam animi in vultu retinens,” Sall. C. 61, 4: “si quid ardoris ac ferociae miles habuit,” Tac. H. 2, 76 fin.: “plus tamen ferociae Britanni praeferunt, ut quos nondum longa pax emollierit,” id. Agr. 11 fin.; cf.: “virtus ac ferocia,” id. ib. 31: “ardor ac ferocia,” id. H. 2, 76: “ferociā verborum militem incendebat,” id. ib. 4, 71.—
II. In a bad sense, savageness, ferocity.
A. Prop.: ferocitate atque ferocia, Pac. ap. Non. 490, 19: qui comperit ejus vim et effrenatam illam ferociam, Cic. Fragm. ap. Non. 492, 3 (Rep. 5, 8 ed. Mos.): “arrogans atque intoleranda ferocia,” id. Agr. 2, 33, 91; 2, 35, 96: “per communes liberos oravit exueret ferociam,” Tac. A. 2, 72: “ingeniorum,” Vell. 2, 115, 3: “stolida mentis,” Ov. Hal. 58.—
B. Transf., of wine, harshness, roughness: “vini,” Plin. 14, 19, 24, § 121.