Question

read the entry from an english usage guide.

the word terrific comes from the latin verb terrere, \to fill with fear.\ originally, terrific meant \causing terror, frightening\ (1660s). scarcely a century later, this meaning had weakened to \extreme; very great in size, extent, or intensity.\ by the end of the nineteenth century, people were using terrific in its modern sense of \extremely good or excellent.\

based on the entry above, which sentence uses terrific in its earliest historical sense?

○ half a mile beneath its placid surface, the sea seethed and churned from a terrific volcanic eruption.

○ yesterday we received the terrific news that the sieferts have returned from their long sea voyage.

Explanation:

Answer:

Half a mile beneath its placid surface, the sea seethed and churned from a terrific volcanic eruption.