/ ˈterə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] a feeling of extreme fear :
a feeling of sheer / pure terror
Her eyes were wild with terror.
People fled from the explosion in terror .
She lives in terror of (= is constantly afraid of) losing her job.
Some women have a terror of losing control in the birth process.
( literary )
The very name of the enemy struck terror into their hearts.
2.
[ C ] a person, situation or thing that makes you very afraid :
These street gangs have become the terror of the neighbourhood.
Death holds no terrors for (= does not frighten or worry) me.
The terrors of the night were past.
3.
[ U ] violent action or the threat of violent action that is intended to cause fear, usually for political purposes
SYN terrorism :
a campaign of terror
terror tactics
—see also reign of terror
4.
[ C ] ( informal ) a person (usually a child) or an animal that causes you trouble or is difficult to control :
Their kids are real little terrors.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French terrour , from Latin terror , from terrere frighten.