Terrorism
/ˈtɛr.əˌrɪ.zəm/noun
The use or threat of violence to intimidate or coerce, especially for political aims.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *terrere* (“to frighten”), the same ancient root behind *terror*, *terrify*, and even *deter*—literally, “to frighten away.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tres-
“to tremble, fear”
Latin
Latin
terrere
“to frighten, cause to tremble”
Latin
Latin
terror
“great fear, dread”
Late Latin
Latin
terrorismus
“a system of intimidation or terror”
18th Century
French
terrorisme
“the use of terror, especially political terror”
19th Century
English
terrorism
“the use of violence or intimidation to create fear, especially for political ends”