terrification Chiefly Sc.
(ˌtɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən)
[ad. L. terrificātiōn-em, n. of action from terrificāre to terrify.]
The action of terrifying; the fact or condition of being terrified; consternation, extreme alarm, terror, fright.
| 1612 in W. James Deeds East Lothian (1899) 29 For ane examplar terrificatioun to all Godles harlottis to flie and abhorre the lyk. 1797 Earl Malmesbury Diaries & Corr. III. 504 Now and then he tried terrification, by letting out some strong Jacobin phrases. 1833 Galt in Fraser's Mag. VIII. 657 He was in an awful terrification. |
b. transf. A source of alarm or dismay; a terror.
| a 1806 A. Grant Lett. fr. Mount. (1806) III. 180 She was a terrification to me. |