hysteric adjective & noun. [hɪ'stɛrɪk] M17.
[Latin hystericus from Greek husterikos belonging to or suffering in the uterus, hysterical, from hustera uterus (see -IC), hysteria being formerly regarded as a disease of women due to a disturbance of the uterus.]
A. adjective.
1. = HYSTERICAL adjective. M17.
hysteric passion (now rare or obsolete) hysteria.
2. Of a medicine: good for hysteria or uterine disorders. L17-M18.
B. noun.
1. A medicine that is good for hysteria or uterine disorders. L17-M18.
2. sing. & (now usu.) in pl. A hysterical fit or convulsion; colloq. overwhelming mirth; a display of uncontrolled laughter, sorrow, or anger. E18.
■ S. Middleton When I get back home Irene's broken down, near hysterics.
■ A. T. Ellis I'm going to have hysterics. I'm going to stand in this stream and scream.
■ D. Lodge She..burst into uncontrollable hysterics and began throwing crockery at the wall.
3. A person subject to or affected with hysteria. M18.

■ hystericism [-sɪz(ǝ)m] noun the condition of being hysterical; hysteria: E18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲