Causing extreme fear or dread in someone through threats or frightening actions.
From French 'terroriser' and Latin 'terror' (fear), the suffix '-ize' means 'to make or cause.' The present participle form shows an action currently happening.
The word 'terror' comes from Latin 'terrere' meaning 'to frighten,' and notice how many words about fear share that root—terrible, terrific, and even territory (a place you protect from threats). Language reveals how fear shaped human boundaries!
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