Bloodcurdling

/ˈblʌdkɜːrdlɪŋ/ adjective

Extremely frightening or horrifying in a way that makes you feel intense fear or dread.

Present participle of the phrase 'blood-curdle' (to cause blood to curdle); combines 'blood' with 'curdle' (from Middle English curdlen, related to curd formation), popularized in Gothic literature of the 1800s.

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