The term 'TERRIBLE AGE' can be broken down into TWO words: TWO (3 letters) and TWOS (4 letters). The word TWO is an adjective meaning 'very bad or unpleasant, ' while the word TWOS is a noun meaning 'a period of time that is considered to be difficult or unpleasant.' Together, these TWO words form the phrase 'TERRIBLE AGE, ' which is often used to describe a period of time in which something unpleasant or difficult is happening.