First Known Use: 1603
Dictionary
1panic
adjective pan·ic \ˈpa-nik\
Definition of PANIC
1
: of, relating to, or resembling the mental or emotional state believed induced by the god Pan <panic fear>
2
: of, relating to, or arising from a panic <panic buying>
3
: of or relating to the god Pan
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Origin of PANIC
French panique, from Greek panikos, literally, of Pan, from Pan
Other Psychology Terms
2panic
noun
: a state or feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally
: a situation that causes many people to become afraid and to rush to do something
Full Definition of PANIC
1
a : a sudden overpowering fright; also : acute extreme anxiety b : a sudden unreasoning terror often accompanied by mass flight <widespread panic in the streets> c : a sudden widespread fright concerning financial affairs that results in a depression of values caused by extreme measures for protection of property (as securities)
2
slang : one that is very funny
— pan·icky \ˈpa-ni-kē\ adjective
See panic defined for English-language learners
See panic defined for kids
First Known Use of PANIC
1708
Related to PANIC
Synonym Discussion of PANIC
fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage <fear of the unknown>. dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety <faced the meeting with dread>. fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear <fright at being awakened suddenly>. alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger <view the situation with alarm>. panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity <the news caused widespread panic>. terror implies the most extreme degree of fear <immobilized with terror>. trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation <raised the subject with trepidation>.
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with PANIC
3panic
verb
: to be overcome with extreme fear : to be affected by panic
: to cause (a person or animal) to feel extreme fear : to cause (a person or animal) to feel panic
pan·icked \-nikt\ pan·ick·ing
Full Definition of PANIC
transitive verb
1
: to affect with panic
2
: to cause to laugh uproariously <panic an audience with a gag>
intransitive verb
: to be affected with panic
See panic defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PANIC
1827
PANICKY Defined for Kids
1panic
noun pan·ic \ˈpa-nik\
Definition of PANIC for Kids
: a sudden overpowering fear often without reasonable cause <… it didn't matter … that she was a good swimmer because … in her panic she swallowed water … — Kevin Henkes, Olive's Ocean>
Word History of PANIC
One of the many gods in the mythology of ancient Greece was named Pan. He was the god of shepherds and of woods and pastures. The Greeks believed that he often wandered peacefully through the woods, playing a pipe, but when accidentally awakened from his noontime nap he could give a great shout that would cause flocks to stampede. From this aspect of Pan's nature Greek authors derived the word panikon, “sudden fear,” the ultimate source of English panic.
2panic
verb
pan·ickedpan·ick·ing
Definition of PANIC for Kids
: to feel or cause to feel sudden overpowering fear
Learn More About PANIC
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