[syn: ardor, ardour, fervor, fervour, fervency, fire, fervidness]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fervor \Fer"vor\, n. [Written also fervour.] [OF. fervor,
fervour, F. ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See Fervent.]
1. Heat; excessive warmth.
[1913 Webster]
The fevor of ensuing day. --Waller.
[1913 Webster]
2. Intensity of feeling or expression; glowing ardor;
passion; holy zeal; earnestness. --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
Winged with fervor of her love. --Shak.
Syn: Fervor, Ardor.
Usage: Fervor is a boiling heat, and ardor is a burning heat.
Hence, in metaphor, we commonly use fervor and its
derivatives when we conceive of thoughts or emotions
under the image of ebullition, or as pouring
themselves forth. Thus we speak of the fervor of
passion, fervid declamation, fervid importunity,
fervent supplication, fervent desires, etc. Ardent is
used when we think of anything as springing from a
deepseated glow of soul; as, ardent friendship, ardent
zeal, ardent devotedness; burning with ardor for the
fight.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
fervour
n 1: the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up; "his
face was flushed with excitement and his hands trembled";
"he tried to calm those who were in a state of extreme
inflammation" [syn: excitement, excitation,
inflammation, fervor, fervour]
2: feelings of great warmth and intensity; "he spoke with great
ardor" [syn: ardor, ardour, fervor, fervour,
fervency, fire, fervidness]