I.wild or untamed courage, fierceness, in a good or bad sense; cf. ferocia (class.).
I. In a good sense, courage, spirit: “corporis viribus et animi ferocitate ceteris praestare,” Cic. Rep. 2, 2: “equi ferocitate exsultantes,” id. Off. 1, 26, 90.—
II. In a bad sense, fierceness, savageness, ferocity: ferocitate atque ferocia, Pac. ap. Non. 490, 19: “quae haec, malum, ferocia est?” Plaut. Ep. 5, 2, 44: “ut ferocitatem tuam istam comprimerem et audaciam frangerem,” Cic. Vat. 1, 2: “ferocitatem reprimere,” id. Off. 2, 11, 40: “tanta, ut, etc.,” id. Deiot. 5, 15: “Ajax apud Achillem querens de ferocitate Trojanorum,” id. Div. 2, 39, 82: “nimia contumacia et ferocitas,” Suet. Vit. 12: “bestiarum,” Vulg. 2 Macc. 15, 21.
