panic

panic

panic¹ [pan′ik]

n.

[ME panyk < L panicum, kind of millet < panus, ear of millet, a swelling < IE base * pank-, to swell > Pol pąk, a bud]

any of several grasses (genus Panicum), as millet, used as fodder: also panic grass

panic² [pan′ik]

adj.

[Fr panique < Gr panikos, of Pan, after Pan]

1. literally of Pan

2. of sudden fear, as supposedly inspired by Pan

3. having the nature of, or showing or resulting from, panic

n.

1. a sudden, unreasoning, hysterical fear, often spreading quickly

2. a widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.

3. Slang a person or thing considered extremely humorous or entertaining

vt.

panicked, panicking

1. to affect with panic

2. Slang to convulse (a listener, audience, etc.) with laughter, delight, etc.

vi.

to give way to or show panic

SYN.- FEAR

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☆ push the panic button or press the panic button or hit the panic button

Slang to panic; specif., to react to a crisis with some frantic, often disastrous action

panically

adv.

panicky

adj.