ferōcitās

Ferocia and ferocitas (from φράξαι) denote natural and wild courage, of which even the barbarian and wild beast are capable; ferocia, as a feeling, ferocitas, as it shows itself in action; whereas virtus and fortitudo denote a moral courage, of which men only of a higher mould are capable; virtus, that which shows itself in energetic action, and acts on the offensive; fortitudo (from the old word forctitudo, from farcire,) that which shows itself in energetic resistance, and acts on the defensive, like constantia. Pacuv. Nisi insita ferocitate atque ferocia. Tac. Ann. xi. 19. Nos virtutem auximus, barbari ferociam infregere: and ii. 25. (i. 44.)