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Terrific

//təˈɹɪfɪk// adj

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Terrifying, causing terror; terrible; sublime, awe-inspiring. archaic

    "[T]he diſmal ſhrieks of demoniac rage […] rouſed phantoms of horror in her mind, far more terrific than all that dreaming ſuperſtition ever drew."

  2. 2
    Very strong or intense; excessive, tremendous.

    "The car came round the bend at a terrific speed."

  3. 3
    Extremely good; excellent, amazing.

    "I say! She's a terrific tennis player."

Adjective
  1. 1
    causing extreme terror wordnet
  2. 2
    very great or intense wordnet
  3. 3
    extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers wordnet

Etymology

From French terrifique, and its source, Latin terrificus (“terrifying”), from terrēre (“to frighten, terrify”) + -ficus, related to facere (“to make”). By surface analysis, terrify + -ic. The sense of excellent or amazing is an ameliorative semantic shift from the original sense of terrifying. Compare similar semantic development in sick and wicked.

See also for "terrific"

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