feroculus

Etymology
From.

Adjective

 * : fierce little

Usage notes
Lewis and Short defines the word as meaning "somewhat spirited or fierce", but this interpretation of the word is likely erroneous, as its use in an exclamatory context with the strengthening adverb in "tam feroculus es" does not fit easily with this definition. The diminutive in this word likely expressed the speaker's attitude of contempt towards the referent. For the use of diminutive adjectives to express evaluative attitudes rather than the degree to which the referent possesses the quality denoted by the adjective, compare and, whose use in affectionate contexts is better explained if they meant "pretty little" and "tender little" rather than the lukewarm compliments "somewhat pretty" and "somewhat tender".