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Ferocious

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means savagely fierce

Where does the word "ferocious" come from? It comes from Latin ferox, adopted directly into English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ferox
Latin · ancient
"wild, fierce"
from 'ferus', wild, the root of 'fierce'
2
Stage 2 of 2
ferocious
English · 1640s
"fierce"
'ferocity' followed
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Read the full story

Ferocious’s story begins in Latin: ferox meant “wild, fierce.” From 'ferus', wild, the root of 'fierce'. It reached English by 1640s as ferocious. 'ferocity' followed. Today, ferocious means savagely fierce.