— savagely , adv. — savageness , n.
/sav"ij/ , adj., n., v., savaged, savaging .
adj.
1. fierce, ferocious, or cruel; untamed: savage beasts.
2. uncivilized; barbarous: savage tribes.
3. enraged or furiously angry, as a person.
4. unpolished; rude: savage manners.
5. wild or rugged, as country or scenery: savage wilderness.
6. Archaic. uncultivated; growing wild.
n.
7. an uncivilized human being.
8. a fierce, brutal, or cruel person.
9. a rude, boorish person.
10. a member of a preliterate society.
v.t.
11. to assault and maul by biting, rending, goring, etc.; tear at or mutilate: numerous sheep savaged by dogs.
12. to attack or criticize thoroughly or remorselessly; excoriate: a play savaged by the critics.
[ 1250-1300; ME savage, sauvage (adj.) sauvage, salvage salvaticus, for L silvaticus, equiv. to silv ( a ) woods + -aticus adj. suffix ]
Syn. 1. wild, feral, fell; bloodthirsty. See cruel. 2. wild. 3. infuriated. 5. rough, uncultivated. 9. churl, oaf.
Ant. 1. mild. 2, 4 . cultured. 5. cultivated.