panic

¹

[ pan-ik ]

noun

1. a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.

   Synonyms: fear, alarm

2. an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear.
3. Finance. a sudden widespread fear concerning financial affairs leading to credit contraction and widespread sale of securities at depressed prices in an effort to acquire cash.
4. Slang. someone or something that is considered hilariously funny:

   The comedian was an absolute panic.

adjective

1. of the nature of, caused by, or indicating panic:

   A wave of panic buying shook the stock market.

2. (of fear, terror, etc.) suddenly destroying the self-control and impelling to some frantic action.
3. Panic, of or relating to the god Pan.

verb (used with object)

, pan·icked, pan·ick·ing.

1. to affect with panic; terrify and cause to flee or lose self-control.
2. Slang. to keep (an audience or the like) highly amused.

verb (used without object)

, pan·icked, pan·ick·ing.

1. to be stricken with panic; become frantic with fear:

   The herd panicked and stampeded.

panic

²

[ pan-ik ]

noun

1. Also called panic grass. any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain.
2. the grain.

panic

¹

/ ˈpænɪk /

noun

1. a sudden overwhelming feeling of terror or anxiety, esp one affecting a whole group of people
2. modifier of or resulting from such terror

   panic measures

verb

1. to feel or cause to feel panic

Panic

²

/ ˈpænɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the god Pan

Derived Forms

• ˈpanicky, adjective

Other Words From

• panick·y adjective
• un·panick·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of panic¹

First recorded in 1580–90; earlier panique, from French, from Greek Panikós “of Pan”; Pan, -ic

Origin of panic²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English panik, from Latin pānicum “Italian millet”

Word History and Origins

Origin of panic¹

C17: from French panique, from New Latin pānicus, from Greek panikos emanating from Pan , considered as the source of irrational fear

Idioms and Phrases

see push the panic button .

Synonym Study

See terror.

Example Sentences

"My sister, three years younger than me, has suffered from panic disorder for many years. She continues to inspire my research questions and my dedication to answering them."

From Science Daily

Video from the scene posted on a private WeChat account showed some children lying on the ground, while panicked students carrying school bags flee the scene.

From BBC

In a statement dated 14 December, he admitted dishonesty and misconduct but denied gross misconduct, arguing that he had panicked and acted in a "moment of madness".

From BBC

But Ms Gupta is among current and prospective international students who have been swept up in a panic caused by the Australian government’s plan to slash foreign student numbers.

From BBC

But any existential panic ignited by that slow start ultimately was short-lived.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lose it
• overreact
• scare