\Fright"ful\, a.
1. Full of fright; affrighted; frightened. [Obs.]
         See how the frightful herds run from the wood. --W.
                                               Browne.
2. Full of that which causes fright; exciting alarm;
   impressing terror; shocking; as, a frightful chasm, or
   tempest; a frightful appearance.
Syn: Terrible; dreadful; alarming; fearful; terrific; awful;
     horrid; horrible; shocking.
Usage: {Frightful}, {Dreadful}, {Awful}. These words all
       express fear. In frightful, it is a sudden emotion; in
       dreadful, it is deeper and more prolonged; in awful,
       the fear is mingled with the emotion of awe, which
       subdues us before the presence of some invisible
       power. An accident may be frightful; the approach of
       death is dreadful to most men; the convulsions of the
       earthquake are awful.