Etymology: from Reign of Terror, a period of the French Revolution between the executions of Louis XVI and Robespierre that was conspicuous for the mass executions of political suspects
1. : a state characterized by conditions (as violence, threats of violence, or actions as injurious as physical violence) that produce terror among the people involved
created a reign of terror throughout … the state — American Guide Series: Oregon
no overt reign of terror among our intellectuals — W.G.Carleton
2. : a period of time during which such conditions prevail
gave ordinary prisoners some measures of confidence that the reign of terror … was finished — New York Herald Tribune