Feeling extreme fear or dread that often paralyzes normal thinking or action. It describes fear so intense that it overwhelms other cognitive processes.
From Latin 'terrere' meaning 'to frighten' combined with the suffix '-fy' and past participle '-ed'. The word has maintained its connection to overwhelming fear since entering English in the 16th century.
Terror actually shuts down higher brain functions to prioritize survival! The amygdala hijacks the prefrontal cortex during terror, which explains why terrified people often can't think clearly or remember details afterward.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.