terror

noun

• 1extreme fear:people fled in terror [in singular]:a terror of darkness
• the use of terror to intimidate people, especially for political reasons; terrorism:weapons of terror
• [in singular] a person or thing that causes extreme fear:his unyielding scowl became the terror of the Chicago mob
• (the Terror) the period of the French Revolution between mid 1793 and July 1794 when the ruling Jacobin faction, dominated by Robespierre, ruthlessly executed anyone considered a threat to their regime. Also called reign of terror.

• 2 (also holy terror) informal a person, especially a child, who causes trouble or annoyance:placid and obedient in their parents' presence, but holy terrors when left alone