The Spanish word 'temor' (meaning 'fear') comes from the Latin noun 'timor', which was derived from the Latin verb 'timere' meaning 'to fear' combined with the suffix '-or'. In Latin, the suffix '-or' was commonly added to verb roots to create nouns that represented the result or state of the action. So 'timor' literally meant 'the state or result of fearing' - in other words, 'fear' itself.

Some related Spanish words that might be familiar to Spanish learners include 'temer' (to fear), which comes directly from Latin 'timere', and 'temeroso' (fearful). These words share the same root and form a family of words relating to fear and anxiety in Spanish.

While English 'timid' and 'timorous' might look similar to 'temor', they are actually etymologically related! These English words also derive from the same Latin root 'timere'. A timid person is someone who shows or feels fear, while timorous means fearful or timid. The connection between these English words and Spanish 'temor' can help English speakers remember its meaning.