SuaviloquyToday’s word

fiery

Fiery ( or ), a.

Etymology: [Formerly written firy, fr. fire.]

1. Consisting of, containing, or resembling, fire; as, the fiery gulf of Etna; a fiery appearance. And fiery billows roll below. I. Watts.

2. Vehement; ardent; very active; impetuous. Hath thy fiery heart so parched thine entrails Shak. The fiery spirit of his forefathers. W. Irwing.

3. Passionate; easily provoked; irritable. You kniw the fiery quality of the duke. Shak.

4. Unrestrained; fierce; mettlesome; spirited. One curbed the fiery steed. Dryden.

1 more senses

5. heated by fire, or as if by fire; burning hot; parched; feverish. Pope. The sword which is made fiery. Hooker. Fiery cross, a cross constructed of two firebrands, and pitched upon the point of a spear; formerly in Scotland borne by a runner as a signal for the clan to take up arms. Sir W. Scott.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for fiery; he lists it under fierce.

Where he writes about it:

A fiery spirit with a good disposition is quickly excitable in a good cause, but may not be fierce or ferocious. — from fierce