Vehemency

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A strong and passionate intensity in emotions or expressions is often directed towards a particular belief or cause while being characterized by fervent forcefulness in actions
2. The quality of showing intense emotion or force in expression or action
3. A state of powerful enthusiasm or energetic determination in speech or behavior

Etymology: "Vehemency" is borrowed from Latin "vehementia," a noun built from "vehemens," meaning "impetuous" or "violent." That adjective is traditionally analyzed as "ve-" (a prefix suggesting deviation or lack, as in "vecors," "out of one's mind") joined to "mens," "mind," so the original sense was roughly "out of one's senses" or "without judgment." The English noun keeps that sense of force carried beyond control: vehemency describes speech or action driven by passion rather than measured reason. The word is the older of two English nouns from the same Latin stem. "Vehemence" arrived by the same route and is the more common form today, so "vehemency" now sounds slightly archaic, though both are accepted. The Latin root's core idea of strong, forceful motion, as in "vehere," "to carry," remains visible in the word's sense of something borne along with great momentum.

Synonyms: intensity, fervor, passion

Antonyms: indifference, apathy