terror, terrour

[Fr. terreur, from Lat. terrorem, acc us, of terror =dread, terror; terreo =to be afraid, to tremble; cf. Sansc.tras=to tremble, to be afraid; trása terror; Sp. & Port. terror; Ital. terrore.] 1. Fear which extremely agitates the body and mind; extreme fear, alarm, or dread; fright. "Terror is that species of fear which rouses to defend or escape; producing the violent agitations which have been already noticed."- Cogan: On the Pa ions, ch. ii., §3. 2. That which excites or may excite dread; a cause of fear or alarm. -Romans xiii. 3. "Rulers are not at error to good works, but to the evil." Darwin (Descent of Man , ch. iii.) shows that ing dread or awe. "He hurries to the realms below, Terrific realms of penal woe." Cowper: Death of the Bishop of Ely. For the difference between terrific and formid able , see FORMIDABLE. *ter-rif-ic-al, a. [Eng. terrific ; -al. Terrific. terrific-al-ly, adv . [Eng.terrifical ; -ly.] In a terrific manner; terribly, frightfully.