Fer"vor (?), n. [Written also
fervour.] [OF. fervor, fervour, F.
ferveur, L. fervor, fr. fervere. See
Fervent.] 1. Heat; excessive
warmth.
The fevor of ensuing day.
Waller.
2. Intensity of feeling or expression;
glowing ardor; passion; holy zeal; earnestness.
Hooker.
Winged with fervor of her love.
Shak.
Syn. -- Fervor, Ardor. 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.
