hysteria

Pronunciation: /hɪˈstɛɹiə/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun state of violent mental agitation
  2. noun excessive or uncontrollable fear
  3. noun neurotic disorder characterized by violent emotional outbreaks and disturbances of sensory and motor functions

Etymology

From New Latin hysteria, a back-formation from Latin hystericus, from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the uterus, hysterical”), from ὑστέρα (hustéra, “womb”). Compare French hystérie.

In classic literature

Synonyms

craze, delirium, frenzy, fury

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
mania
Narrower (hyponyms)
mass hysteria, nympholepsy

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