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terrifically

 - 4 dictionary results

ter⋅rif⋅ic

[tuh-rif-ik]
–adjective
1. extraordinarily great or intense: terrific speed.
2. extremely good; wonderful: a terrific vacation.
3. causing terror; terrifying.

Origin:
1660–70; < L terrificus frightening, equiv. to terr(ēre) to frighten + -i- -i- + -ficus -fic


ter⋅rif⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb


1, 2. extraordinary, remarkable. 2. fine, excellent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ter·rif·ic   (tə-rĭf'ĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Very good or fine; splendid: a terrific tennis player.

  2. Awesome; astounding: drove at a terrific rate of speed.

  3. Causing terror or great fear; terrifying: a terrific wail.

  4. Very bad or unpleasant; frightful: a terrific headache.


[Latin terrificus : terrēre, to frighten + -ficus, -fic.]
ter·rif'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
terrific

  1. mod.
    excellent. : Glad to hear it. That's just terrific.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

terrific 
1667, "frightening," from L. terrificus "causing terror or fear," from terrere "fill with fear" (see terrible) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Weakened sensed of "very great, severe" (e.g. terrific headache) appeared 1809; colloquial sense of "excellent" began 1888.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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