Coming from the Latin ‘terror’ (verb terrere, meaning “to frighten” or “to cause to tremble.”) the linguistic base was always about creating fear one way or another.

In fact, the word ‘terrorist’ actually sprung up around 1795 during the French Revolution, and referred to the Reign of Terror initiated by the Revolutionary government.

The agents of the the National Convention (the new administration during that troubled period) who enforced the French Reign of Terror (La Terreur, 1793-1794) under Robespierre  were referred to as ‘Terrorists”. The Revolution also inspired royalists to use terrorist tactics such as assassination and intimidation.

Up to 40,000 people were guillotined during this period by the ‘Terrorists”.

So “terrorist” originally meant a supporter of state repression, not a non-state extremist.

During the 1800s, the meaning changed from someone who uses terror as a tool of government  to someone who uses violence to achieve political aims outside the state.

By the late 19th century, the term was applied to Russian anarchists, Irish nationalists (e.g., Fenians) Anti-colonial militants…..

Today, “terrorist” generally refers to a person or organization using violence or threats of violence against civilians for political, ideological, or religious goals, but it is still a politically loaded term, and groups rarely apply it to themselves — others label them as such.