Etymology of the English word terrify
the English word
terrifyderived from the Latin word
terrificare (terrify)
derived 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 terrify in English dates from the 16th century.
Derivations in English
terrified,
terrifyingUsage
Word found in Modern English
