vehemence

From Middle French vehemence, from Latin vehementia (“eagerness, strength”), from vehemens (“eager”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈviːəmən(t)s/, /ˈviːhəmən(t)s/

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vehemence (usually uncountable, plural vehemences)

1. An intense concentration, force or power.

   The bear attacked with vengeance and vehemence.

2. A wild or turbulent ferocity or fury.

   His response was bursting with hatred and vehemence.

   • 2016 February 6, Israel’s prickliness blocks the long quest for peace, “The National”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎:

     This worrisome tendency was on display in recent weeks as Israelis reacted with striking vehemence to remarks by UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, and US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro.

3. Eagerness, fervor, excessive strong feeling.
   • 1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter I, in The Last Man. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 8:

     I could not wonder at the vehemence of her care, her very soul was tenderness […]

• See also Thesaurus:obstinacy

• vehemency
• vehement

• “vehemence”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “vehemence”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “vehemence”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.