Etymology of the English word terrific
the English word
terrificderived from the Latin word
terrificus (terrifying, awe inspiring)
derived from the Latin word
terrere (frighten, scare, terrify)
using the Late Latin suffix
-ficusderived from the Latin word
facere (to make; act, take action, be active; compose, write; classify; do, make; create; make, build, construct; produce; produce by growth; bring forth)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*dhē-Date
The earliest known usage of terrific in English dates from the 17th century.
Usage
Word found in Modern English
