Causing extreme shock, fear, or disgust; deeply disturbing or frightening.
From 'horrify,' which comes from Latin 'horrificus' (horror + facere, 'to make'). The suffix '-ing' makes it a present participle describing something that causes horror.
The word 'horrify' literally means 'to make one's hair stand on end'—'horr-' relates to 'horror' and the physical bristling response our ancestors had to danger, which is why horror movies are designed to trigger that ancient fight-or-flight reaction.
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