The word "despavorido" describes a strong state of fear or terror. It is used to convey that a person is overcome by extreme fright, often to the point of paralysis or inability to react. In terms of frequency, "despavorido" is more commonly found in written contexts, such as literature or formal writing, rather than in casual, everyday conversation.
The boy was terrified after watching the horror movie.
Se quedó despavorido al escuchar el estruendo.
He was horrified to hear the loud crash.
Cuando vio la sombra, se volvió despavorido y corrió.
"Despavorido" is less common in fixed idiomatic expressions but can still appear in phrases that emphasize fear or anxiety. Here are some sentences featuring the word:
Upon hearing the noise in the middle of the night, he became terrified.
La noticia de la tormenta dejó a la comunidad despavorida.
The news of the storm left the community horrified.
Cuando recibió la llamada, estaba despavorido por lo que podía significar.
When he received the call, he was frightened by what it could mean.
Recordar aquel accidente le hace sentir despavorido hasta el día de hoy.
The term "despavorido" originates from the root word "pavor," which means "fear," combined with the prefix "des-" indicating removal or negation, hence implying being stripped of bravery or calmness due to fear. The word has Latin roots, specifically from 'pavor' derived from 'pavorem', meaning a sudden or intense experience of fear.