terrific

== English == === Alternative forms === terrifick (obsolete) === 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. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /təˈɹɪfɪk/, Rhymes: -ɪfɪk (Indic) IPA(key): /ˈʈɛrɨfɪk/ Hyphenation: te‧rri‧fic === Adjective === terrific (comparative more terrific, superlative most terrific) (now rare) Terrifying, causing terror; terrible; sublime, awe-inspiring. [from 17th c.] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:frightening Very strong or intense; excessive, tremendous. [from 18th c.] Extremely good; excellent, amazing. [from 19th c.] ==== Synonyms ==== brilliant horrific ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === “terrific”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “terrific”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Anagrams === ferritic