terrorist
/ˈtɛɹəɹɪst/ noun, adjective
Forms terrorists
- noun A person, group, or organization that uses violent action, or the threat of violent action, to further political goals.
- noun (historical) An agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France.
- adjective Of or relating to terrorism.
Etymology
From terror + -ist. In the historical sense, after French terroriste. First used in 1794 in the Courier and Evening Gazette.
Webster’s 1913
- noun One who governs by terrorism or intimidation; specifically, an agent or partisan of the revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror in France. Burke.
Etymology [F. terroriste.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “terrorist”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details