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
And, on the other hand, the spinal tender point may be merely the "point apophysaire" of a true neuralgia which exhibits no other symptoms of the so-called hysteric constitution.
From Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it by Francis E. Anstie
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