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terror

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Terror is extreme fear, or is the use of fear, or is someone who causes extreme fear.

(noun)

The intense fright you feel when you see a ghost is an example of terror.
A weapon that causes extreme apprehension in enemies is an example of a weapon of terror.
A dictator who kills citizens who don't seem to agree with his doctrine is an example of a terror.

See terror in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

intense fear
1. a person or thing causing intense fear
2. the quality of causing such fear; terribleness
a program of terrorism or a party, group, etc. resorting to terrorism
Informal a very annoying or unmanageable person, esp. a child; nuisance; pest

Origin: ME terrour < MFr terreur < L terror < terrere, to frighten < IE *ters-, to tremble (> Gr trein, to tremble, flee) < base *ter-, to wriggle

See terror in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Intense, overpowering fear. See Synonyms at fear.
One that instills intense fear: a rabid dog that became the terror of the neighborhood.
The ability to instill intense fear: the terror of jackboots pounding down the street.
Violence committed or threatened by a group to intimidate or coerce a population, as for military or political purposes.
Informal An annoying or intolerable pest: that little terror of a child.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English terrour

Origin: , from Old French terreur

Origin: , from Latin terror

Origin: , from terrēre, to frighten

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