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 anyone who implies that anything is abnormal is a hysteric or an opportunist or an attention-seeker.
From Slate • Sep. 4, 2018
Or with those of a hysteric who, previously relieved from mutism, was again struck dumb during a thunderstorm: ...
From Spiritualism and the New Psychology An Explanation of Spiritualist Phenomena and Beliefs in Terms of Modern Knowledge by Culpin, Millais
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.
