Intense, a.
Etymology: [L. intensus stretched, tight, p. p. of intendere to stretch: cf. F. intense. See Intend, and cf. Intent, and cf. Intent, a.]
1. Strained; tightly drawn; kept on the stretch; strict; very close or earnest; as, intense study or application; intense thought.
2. Extreme in degree; excessive; immoderate; as: (a) Ardent; fervent; as, intense heat. (b) Keen; biting; as, intense cold. (c) Vehement; earnest; exceedingly strong; as, intense passion or hate. (d) Very severe; violent; as, intense pain or anguish. (e) Deep; strong; brilliant; as, intense color or light. In this intense seclusion of the forest. Hawthorne.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for intense; he lists it under eager.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.