Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VE'HE-MENCE, or VE'HE-MEN-CY, n. [Fr. vehemence; from L. vehemens, from veho, to carry, that is, to rush or drive.]

1. Violence; great force; properly, force derived from velocity; as, the vehemence of wind. But it is applied to any kind of forcible action; as, to speak with vehemence.
2. Violent ardor; great heat; animated fervor; as, the vehemence of love or affection; the vehemence of anger or other passion. I tremble at his vehemence of temper. – Addison.