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hysteric

[ hi-ster-ik ]
/ hɪˈstɛr ɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR hysteric ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Usually hysterics. a fit of uncontrollable laughter or weeping; hysteria.
a person subject to hysteria.

adjective

hysterical.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM hysteric

an·ti·hys·ter·ic, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hysteric

hysterics histrionics

Words nearby hysteric

hysteresis, hysteresis loop, hysteresis loss, hystereurysis, hysteria, hysteric, hysterical, hysterical personality, hysterical psychosis, hysterics, hystero-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to hysterics

laughter, levity, hilarity, rejoicing, flare-up, convulsion, madness, furor, temper, fury, violence, bitterness, resentment, excitement, mania, passion, irritation, frenzy, animosity, exasperation

Example sentences from the Web for hysterics

British Dictionary definitions for hysterics (1 of 2)

hysterics
/ (hɪˈstɛrɪks) /

noun (functioning as plural or singular)

an attack of hysteria
informal wild uncontrollable bursts of laughter

British Dictionary definitions for hysterics (2 of 2)

hysteric
/ (hɪˈstɛrɪk) /

noun

a hysterical person

adjective

hysterical
See also hysterics

Word Origin for hysteric

C17: from Latin hystericus literally: of the womb, from Greek husterikos, from hustera the womb; from the belief that hysteria in women originated in disorders of the womb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for hysterics

hysteric
[ hĭ-stĕr′ĭk ]

n.

A person suffering from hysteria.
hysterics A fit of uncontrollable laughing or crying.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.