terrific

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   very great or intense

   a terrific noise

2. 2
   adj

   Terrifying, causing terror; terrible; sublime, awe-inspiring.

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

3. 3
   adj

   Very strong or intense; excessive, tremendous.

   The car came round the bend at a terrific speed.

4. 4
   adj

   Extremely good; excellent, amazing.

   I say! She's a terrific tennis player.

5. 5
   adj

   causing extreme terror

6. 6
   adj

   extraordinarily good or great

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.