'horribilis' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'horribilis', where 'horr-' meant 'to shudder' and '-ibilis' meant 'able to'.

'horribilis' remained largely unchanged from its Latin form into modern English usage, often used in phrases like 'annus horribilis'.

Initially, it meant 'able to cause shuddering or fear', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.