panic2
- Also called panic grass. any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain.
- the grain.
Origin of panic2
panic grass
- any of various grasses of the genus Panicum, such as millet, grown in warm and tropical regions for fodder and grain
Word Origin
panic
- a sudden overwhelming feeling of terror or anxiety, esp one affecting a whole group of people
- (modifier) of or resulting from such terrorpanic measures
- to feel or cause to feel panic
Word Origin
Panic
- of or relating to the god Pan
Word Origin and History for panic grass
panic
n.1
"mass terror," 1708, from earlier adjective (c.1600, modifying fear, terror, etc.), from French panique (15c.), from Greek panikon, literally "pertaining to Pan," the god of woods and fields, who was the source of mysterious sounds that caused contagious, groundless fear in herds and crowds, or in people in lonely spots.
In the sense of "panic, fright" the Greek word is short for panikon deima "panic fright," from neuter of Panikos "of Pan." Meaning "widespread apprehension about financial matters" is first recorded 1757. Panic button in figurative sense is first recorded 1955, the literal sense apparently is from parachuting. Panic attack attested by 1970.
panic
n.2
type of grass, early 15c., from Old French panic "Italian millet," from Latin panicum "panic grass, kind of millet," from panus "ear of millet, a swelling" (cf. panocha).
panic
v.
1827, "to afflict with panic," from panic (n.). Intransitive sense of "to lose one's head, get into a panic" is from 1902. Related: Panicked; panicking.
panic
(păn′ĭk)- A sudden overpowering feeling of terror.