a. [f. L. vōcifer-ārī (see VOCIFERATE v.) + -OUS.]
1. Uttering loud cries or shouts; clamorous, bawling, noisy.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, II. 83. Thrise three vociferous heralds rose to checke the rout, and get Eare to their Ioue-kept gouernors.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., 121. I sailed into a Presbyterian Meeting … where the vociferous Holder-forth was as bold and saucy, as if the Deity and all Mankind had owed him Money.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, II. ix. Mr. Allworthy had been before silent, from the same cause which had made his sister vociferous.
1784. Cowper, Task, I. 299. The boorish driver leaning o’er his team Vocif’rous, and impatient of delay.
1816. Southey, Poet’s Pilgr., Proem xviii. The restless joy Of those glad girls, and that vociferous boy!
1834. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, vii. My companions were very vociferous.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 56. The whole audience instead of being mute became vociferous.
transf. 1850–1. Longf., Gold. Leg., Prol., Sp. iv. Hover downward! Seize the loud, vociferous bells, and … to the pavement Hurl them from their windy tower.
fig. 1883. Harper’s Mag., Sept., 565/1. Mr. Cody … could scarcely design a vulgar and vociferous work if he tried.
b. Applied to birds.
1809. Shaw, Gen. Zool., VII. 94. Vociferous Eagle, Falco Vocifer.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb., III. ii. (1820), 170. Flocks of vociferous geese cackled about the fields.
2. Of the nature of vociferation; uttered with or accompanied by clamor; characterized by loud declamation.
1631. Brathwait, Whimzies, Piper, 144. All he reedes, he puts into his pipe: which consisting of three notes breaks out into a most vociferous syllogisme.
1740. Cibber, Apol. (1756), II. 59. Though candour and benevolence are silent virtues, they are as visible as the most vociferous ill-nature.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., II. v. 126. Popular gratitude is as vociferous as it is sudden.
1837. W. Irving, Capt. Bonneville, II. 283. Jealousy of their good name now prompted them to the most vociferous vindications of their innocence.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, i. Showing by his answers that he was but vaguely hearing the vociferous talk of his companions.
