adv. [f. prec.]
1. To a very great extent; in a very high degree. Now rare.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1811), 460. In Fraunce this yere the people dyed … so vehemently that in the cytie of Parys dyed … ouer I.M. people.
1563. T. Gale, Antidot., II. 18. This [unguent] … taketh awaye superfluous fleshe, and doth vehemently excicate and drie.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, I. (1625), 46. Two onely that were the conveyers of him, sickned vehemently, and one of them died.
1658. A. Fox, Würtz’ Surg., II. iv. 56. Vomiting is not very dangerous … unless it hold the Patient vehemently.
1695. Ld. Preston, Boeth., IV. 172. Whom Wickedness, the most extreme Evil, doth not only affect, but even vehemently infect.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v. Womb, This tumour returned again, and … in three days it became vehemently enraged.
1858. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., II. ii. (1872), I. 54. Preussen was a vehemently Heathen country.
b. Used with reference to suspicion: cf. prec. 5 a.
1533. More, Debell. Salem, Wks. 981/1. Such thinges … as maketh him not slightly but very vehemently suspected.
1588. J. Udall, Demonstr. Discipline (Arb.), 76. One … that is vehemently suspected, to haue haynously offended.
1621. Bp. Mountagu, Diatribæ, 289. It will be very vehemently suspected that he is Antichrist indeed.
1684. Lond. Gaz., No. 1938/4. He is vehemently suspected to be concerned in these Robberies and Burglaries following.
1821. Southey, Lett. (1856), III. 233. Mr. Wilson’s letter … having led me vehemently to suspect that the document which impeached his character was an invention of his wife’s.
2. a. With strong or violent language; in a manner showing strong feeling or excitement.
1545. Brinklow, Compl., xx. 42. Marke what, and how vehemently the Holy Gost speakyth here in the prophete.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 97. Polidore had no good opinion of king John, and therfore wryteth very vehemently against him in his History.
1612. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 610. The Deputies of the Religion have very vehemently protested against these proceedings.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., Addr. p. xi. Reckoning it a great instance of Piety and devout Zeal, vehemently to declaim against Reason and Philosophy.
a. 1721. Prior, Cromwell & Porter, 116, Wks. 1907, II. 265. I did actually fight in the field, Preached loudly in the Church, and talked vehemently in the Parliament.
1756. Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. 1808, I. 60. I could shew how vehemently they have contended for names.
1839. Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia (1863), 14. The slave-owners … insist vehemently upon the mental and physical inferiority of the blacks.
b. With strong or intense feeling; ardently, eagerly.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 329. Wherewith being wehemently moued,… he began more and more to be confirmed.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 54. It was alwayes of me maruellous vehemently and earnestly desiered.
1642. R. Carpenter, Experience, II. iii. 141. Doe you think his heart is not vehemently prompted to Deifie his saint?
1682. Burnet, Rights Princes, ii. 36. That they did vehemently, and out of all measure aspire to that Chair. Ibid., iv. 112. Against this, the Zeal of some Bishops appeared vehemently.
1753–4. Richardson, Grandison, IV. vii. 54. For a week together she was vehemently intent upon visiting England.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. viii. 277. It requires a high degree of improbability to prevent the greater part of mankind from believing what they vehemently wish.
3. With violence or impetuosity.
1538. Elyot, Perflo, to blowe vehemently or strongly.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 312. Ane blast of eistrene winde … raissit the flame of fyre sa wehementlie that it blew wpoun the freir that accussit him.
1611. Bible, Luke vi. 48. When the flood arose, the streame beat vehemently vpon that house.
1666. in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 257. The fire broke out vehemently again last night.
a. 1796. Waterhouse, in Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 500. We see the mineral water boiling vehemently like a pot over the fire.
1821. W. Irving, Sketch Bk., I. 57. He was observed to smoke his pipe vehemently.
