Etymology Map
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Horror

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means intense fear or shock

Where does the word "horror" come from? It comes from Latin horror, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
horror
Latin · ancient
"bristling, shuddering"
from 'horrere', to bristle
2
Stage 2 of 3
horror
Old French · medieval
"horror"
hair standing on end in fear
3
Stage 3 of 3
horror
English · 1300s
"dread"
horror films date from the 1930s
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Read the full story

Horror’s story begins in Latin: horror meant “bristling, shuddering.” From 'horrere', to bristle. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as horror. Hair standing on end in fear. It reached English by 1300s as horror. Horror films date from the 1930s. Today, horror means intense fear or shock.