fĕrōcĭa, ae, f. [ferox], 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.