perfervid, a.
(pəˈfɜːvɪd)
[ad. mod.L. perfervid-us, f. per- 4 + fervidus fervid; chiefly in the phrase perfervidum ingenium Scotorum, founded on Buchanan's Scotorum præfervida ingenia (Rerum Scotic. Hist. xvi. li.).
Perfervidus, though quite regular in form, is not recorded in ancient Latin; an instance of perfervida formerly cited from Columella v. 5 is an erroneous reading in Gesner's ed. (1737) for præfervida.]
Very fervid, glowing, or ardent.
| 1856 Masson Ess., Scot. Infl. Brit. Lit. 395 Without maintaining at present that all Scotchmen are perfervid..it will be enough to refer to the instances which prove at least that some Scotchmen have this character. 1875 Helps Soc. Press. xxii. 339 The next generation has something in it of the brilliant nature of the Irish, or the perfervid nature of the Scotch. 1884 Howells in Harper's Mag. Dec. 115/2 With perfervid gratitude. |
Hence perferˈvidity, perˈfervidness, also ˈperfervour, perfervid quality.
| 1861 J. Brown Horæ Subs. Ser. ii. 425 This perfervor of our Scottish love-songs. 1884 Sat. Rev. 1 Nov. 559/2 We are disposed to regret these manifestations and consequences of the perfervidity of Birmingham. 1890 Spectator 4 Oct., The characteristic of the Scotchman is perfervidness, exhibiting itself in strenuosity, in enthusiasm, and in excess. |