English
schrecklichkeit
Schrecklichkeit comes from German Schrecklichkeit ‘awfulness’, from Schreck ‘fright’, and ultimately from Old High German screcko.
- Old High Germanc. 750–1050screcko
- Middle High Germanc. 1050–1350schrecke
- Germanc. 1650–presentSchreck‘fright’
- German, derivedc. 1650–presentschrecklich‘awful, terrible, horrible’
- German, derivedc. 1650–presentSchrecklichkeit‘awfulness’
- Englishtodayschrecklichkeit
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old High Germanc. 750–1050screcko
- Middle High Germanc. 1050–1350schrecke
- Germanc. 1650–presentSchreck‘fright’
- German, derivedc. 1650–presentschrecklich‘awful, terrible, horrible’
- German, derivedc. 1650–presentSchrecklichkeit‘awfulness’
- Englishtodayschrecklichkeit
Every English word from Old High German screcko
Today it means
noun A military policy of terrorising an enemy, especially through its civilian population.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old High German screcko / schrecklichkeit