terror

noun

• 1 [mass noun] extreme fear:people fled in terror [in singular]:she had a terror of darkness
• the use of extreme fear to intimidate people:weapons of terror
• [often as modifier] terrorism:a terror suspect a terror attack
• [in singular] a person or thing that causes extreme fear:his delivery is the terror of even world-class batsmen
• (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, that causes trouble or annoyance.