a. and adv. Also 6 Sc. viement. [a. OF. vehement (F. véhément, = Sp. and Pg. vehemente, It. veemente), or ad. L. vehement-, vehemens violent, impetuous, etc., usually regarded as f. vehe- (= vē- in vēcors) lacking, wanting + mens mind.]
I. 1. Intense, severe; rising to a high degree or pitch: a. Of pain, illness, etc.
1485. St. Wenefryde (Caxton), 12. The languour and maladye as vehement and encreaced dayly.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 148. Vaschus … fell into a vehement feuer by reason of excesse of labour.
1563. T. Gale, Antidot., II. 39. It doeth also cease vehement dolour and payne.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 325. [A] Comet … signifieth … vehement sicknesses.
1725. N. Robinson, Th. Physick, 268. I order’d the following Mixture to be externally apply’d to his Side … while his Pain was very vehement.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Obs., 96. Vehement erysipelatous or irritative inflammation took place.
b. Of heat or cold, etc.
1554. W. Prat, Discript. Aphrique, C viii b. The earthe … is made hote in a lytle space by the vehemente heate of the ayre.
1576. Newton, Lemnie’s Complex. (1633), 62. The fire is vehementer, and the hearth is of heat sometime extreme, sometime more soft and milde.
1609. C. Butler, Fem. Mon. (1623), R 3. The Snow … causeth them presently to fall, and with his vehement cold to rise no more.
1666. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual., 320. Salt of Tartar requires a vehement fire to flux it.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), I. 564. The action of the Sun would there have been too vehement.
2. Of natural forces: Operating with great strength or violence; esp. of wind, blowing very strongly or violently.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. ii. The bees may issue out of theyr stalles without peryll of rayne or vehement wynde.
1563. Fulke, Meteors (1640), 30. When the lightning is not vehement.
1579. Reg. Privy Council Scot., III. 242. Aganis sa suddane and viement ane storm.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 832. The Land … would be violently hot, if a fresh easterly breeze did not coole it with vehement breath in the heat of the day.
1625. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 196. The barge-windows, not withstanding the vehement shower, were open.
a. 1701. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1732), 9. The Rain was so vehement.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, II. v. 299. The succeeding vehement Deluges of Rain rendered their Incampment superlatively comfortless.
1837. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Ser. I. Look at Clock. Like a Weather-cock whirled by a vehement puff, David turned himself round.
b. In general use: Strong and rapid.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, in Aliments, etc., 317. Violent Sweats proceed from a Laxity of the Vessels and too vehement a Circulation of the Blood.
c. Of sound: Excessively loud.
1752. H. Walpole, Lett. (1846), II. 415. The two Gunnings, who have made so vehement a noise.
3. Of actions: Characterized by great physical exertion; performed with unusual force or violence.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. xvi. By exercise, whiche is a vehement motion,… the helthe of man is preserued, and his strength increased.
1574. Newton, Health Mag., 6. Those persons … may use vehementer exercise and stronger ambulations.
c. 1650. Don Bellianis, 34. With such vehement vigour he assaulted his foes, that his men regained their lost advantage.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., I. 191. At the close of each stanza a hearty roar, and a vehement thrumming on the table.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Manch. Strike, 92. The clapping … was twice as long and twice as vehement as usual.
1873. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma, 309. Who that observes this delighted adoption of vehement rites … can doubt, that [etc.].
transf. 1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 12. They must secondly, consider what a vehement efficacy there is in man’s wit.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 1, ¶ 11. These vehement exertions of intellect cannot be frequent.
1865. Trollope, Belton Est., v. 53. The woman was making a vehement effort to speak in her natural voice.
† 4. Of remedies, etc.: Having a powerful effect upon the system. Obs.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 E iij. All the body muste be emptyed … or that any partye be take subiecte to the stronge and vehement remedyes.
1562. Bullein, Bulwarke, Bk. Simples (1579), 5 b. The longe Onion is more vehementer then the rounde, and the Redde more then the white.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 691. The gall of swine is not very vehement.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 199. In the beginning over vehement warmings are to be avoided.
1656. J. Smith, Pract. Physick, 96. The juyce of wild Cucumber is not so vehement as they commonly report.
† b. Of taste: Strong, pungent. Obs.
1600. J. Pory, trans. Leo’s Africa, Introd. 42. Being in shape somewhat like to the Millet of Italy, but of a most vehement and firy tast.
† c. Vivid; intensely bright. Obs.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., v. § 2 (1643), 131. These colours in some rain-bows are more vehement or apparent.
1692. Ray, Creation (ed. 2), II. 25. Preserving the Eye from being injured by too vehement and lucid an Object.
II. 5. a. Of suspicion or likelihood: Very strong. Now arch.
1516. Acts Parl. Scot. (1875), XII. 36/2. All Lawis excludis þe said governour fra administracion and governance for suspicioun vehement and violent.
1565. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. II. 208. The Quenes howsbande beinge entred into a vehement suspicion of David.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 20. Notwithstanding all those vehement likelihoods, yet I will not condemne you till I see how you confute me.
1610. Donne, Pseudo-Martyr, 342. From your Syluester wee learne, That the Popes precepts binde not, where there is vehement likelyhood of trouble or scandall.
1812. Southey, in Life A. Bell (1844), II. 644. Mrs. Trimmer’s book … I much wish to see, having a vehement suspicion that some parts of it have been misrepresented.
† b. Of proof, etc.: Strong, forcible, cogent; capable of producing conviction. Obs.
1530. Tindale, Wks. (Parker Soc., 1848), 428. There is not a better, vehementer, or mightier thing to make a man understand … than an allegory.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. 33. And these vehement demonstrations twice repeted suffer it to be drawen no other where but to Christ.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 61. The valliantnesse, constancie, and sobernesse of your person, then which nothing can be more vehement and patheticall.
1731. Chandler, trans. Limborchi’s Hist. Inquis., II. 215. When these Proofs are vehement or sufficient for the Torture, it is left for the Judge to determine.
† c. Very close or intimate. Obs.–1
1596. Bacon, Max. & Use Com. Law, xiv. (1630), 59. The law is more strong in that case, because of the vehement relation which the enrolment hath to the time of the bargaine and sale.
6. Of thoughts, feelings, etc.: Extremely strong or deep; ardent, eager, passionate.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 233. Meditacyon is a vehement or a huge goostly applicacion of the mynde.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 328. The Phisitions … judged by and by the disase to come of a vehement thought.
1574. trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 8. It is a salutation or greeting full of vehement and hartie good wil.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, V. § 3. 177. The vehementer passion venteth forth the liuelier action.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. vi. 27. Weeping … is caused by such accidents, as suddenly take away some vehement hope.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 73, ¶ 5. The Passion for Praise, which is so very vehement in the Fair Sex.
1775. De Lolme, Eng. Const., Adv. (1784), p. xix. Influenced by vehement prepossessions.
1812. Cary, Dante, Parad., V. 107. Vehement desire Possess’d me.
1846. H. Rogers, Ess. (1874), I. iv. 162. Leibnitz … began to tell his beads with vehement devotion.
1907. Verney Mem., I. 62. The Queen’s vehement partisanship.
b. Of anger or similar feelings: Violent; intense.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV. (1550), 50 b. Ye olde rancor betwene them beyng newly reuiued (The which betwene no creatures can be more vehement then betwene bretherne).
1552. Huloet, Vehement anger, excandescentia.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. cii. 503. By those is meant a vehement displeasure and anger.
7. Of language: Very forcibly or passionately uttered or expressed; resulting from, and indicative of, strong feeling or excitement.
1533. Chron. Calais (Camden), 114. The French kynges mother with very ardente and vehemente wordes sayd [etc.].
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 176 b. Aboute this time came forth … a boke of Martin Luthers very vehement.
1596. Edw. III., I. ii. Sharpely to solicit With vehement sute the king in my behalfe.
1628. Donne, 6 Serm., 56. In that remarkable and vehement place where he expostulates with them.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 12 Feb. 1683. A vehement speech he made about the compositions.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist., VIII. vii. IV. 40. That lively and vehement eloquence which like a torrent bears down all things on its way.
1836. Thirlwall, Greece, xi. II. 80. The Corinthian deputy Sosicles, in vehement language, remonstrated with the Spartans on their inconsistency.
1848. W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s Hist. Ten Y., II. 92. He … replies with the most vehement protestations of gratitude and fidelity.
8. Of persons, their character, etc.: Acting, or tending to act, in a manner displaying passion or excitement.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 29 b. I confess to have been more vehement then became me.
1575–85. Abp. Sandys, Serm. (1841), 194. Vehement therefore and zealous must we be for the house of God.
1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., I. Wks. 1856, I. 15. Vouchsafe me, then, your hush’t observances, Vehement in pursuite of strange novelties.
1609. Bible (Douay), Ezekiel xxxviii. 15. Thou and manie peoples with thee,… a great companie, and a vehement armie.
1791. Cowper, Odyss., XV. 254. Summon thy crew on board, Ere my arrival notice give of thine To the old King; for vehement I know His temper.
1847. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, ix. My nature was too quick and vehement to take pleasure in vice without passion.
1848. Clough, Amours de Voy., II. 293. For the woman … Ever prefers the audacious, the wilful, the vehement hero.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., xiii. 237. The Pharisees were scrupulous, exact, vehement, and eager, about everything connected with religion.
9. Of debate, strife, etc.: Characterized by great heat or bitterness.
1620. Bedell, Lett., 26. I would to Christ that of all other Controuersies this were the vehementest betweene vs.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Wars, 93. Nor by this was the Warre lessened, onely it was delayed, and not vehement enough for the time.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. 135. This … was a sufficiently difficult undertaking,… in which he had to expect powerful and vehement opposition.
1847. Harris, Life Ld. Hardwicke, III. xii. 44. A very vehement debate took place in the House of Lords.
1903. W. Bright, Age of Fathers, I. v. 70. The dissension caused by Arianism became daily more vehement.
III. † 10. Sc. As adv. = VEHEMENTLY adv. Obs.
1549. Compl. Scot., vi. 52. The tua vintirs that thai hef ar nocht verray vehement cald.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 407. He became so vehement seik that no man had hope of his lyffe.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. 10. Althoch the king prudentlie dissemblet, thay knew him to be vehement angrie.
