hysteric

[hi-ster-ik]

noun

1. Usually hysterics. a fit of uncontrollable laughter or weeping; hysteria.

2. a person subject to hysteria.

adjective

1. hysterical.

hysteric

/ hɪˈstɛrɪk /

noun

1. a hysterical person

adjective

1. hysterical

Other Word Forms

• antihysteric noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteric¹

1650–60; < Latin hystericus < Greek hysterikós, suffering in the womb, hysterical (reflecting the Greeks' belief that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances in the uterus); hystero-, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteric¹

C17: from Latin hystericus literally: of the womb, from Greek husterikos, from hustera the womb; from the belief that hysteria in women originated in disorders of the womb

Example Sentences

The hysterics were obviously about the upcoming presidential election in 2016 and racist fears that Obama would not leave office without implementing the genocide the fringe right claimed was coming for white Christians.

From Salon

"I remember mum – she was in hysterics, crying."

From BBC

Once recovered and breathing properly, one snicker from either of us in remembrance of what had been so funny, and off we would go, falling back into hysterics.

From Salon

And in overtime, after he brought the score within one on a touchdown run, Penunuri needed just one more big play — to convert a two-point conversion to send Rio Hondo’s sideline into hysterics.

From Los Angeles Times

In his new book "The Cancel Culture Panic: How an American Obsession Went Global," Stanford professor Adrian Daub argues that the hysterics over this alleged trend amount to a moral panic.

From Salon

Related Words

• agitated 
• crazy 
• distraught 
• emotional 
• frantic 
• frenzied 
• furious 
• impassioned 
• mad 
• nervous 
• neurotic 
• overwrought 
• passionate 
• uncontrollable 
• vehement 
• violent