terror

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛrə/

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.

Phrases

have (or hold) no terrors for someone

not frighten or worry someone: death held no terrors for him

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French terrour, from Latin terror, from terrere 'frighten'