noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hysteric
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); see hystero-, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But to her credit, Ms. Coon never turns the character into a wild-eyed hysteric or a manipulated figure of pure pathos.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
As Freeman pulled into second base, a hysteric crowd of 52,995 rose to its feet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2022
"He was clearly a sort of hysteric," he says.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2018
And Sophie Chevalier, a French anthropologist and specialist in customer behavior, told Le Parisen that the hysteric reaction was out of the ordinary.
From Slate ● Jan. 26, 2018
Before Adeline had recovered her consternation Mrs Mowbray fell into a violent hysteric; and long was it before she was restored to composure.
From Adeline Mowbray or, The Mother and Daughter by Amelia Alderson Opie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
