adjective

1. designating or of the fever accompanying wasting diseases, esp. tuberculosis
2. of, affected with, or characteristic of a wasting disease, as tuberculosis; consumptive
3. red or flushed, as with fever
4. characterized by confusion, rush, excitement, etc.

Etymology: altered (after Fr or L) < ME etik < OFr étique (Fr hectique) < LL hecticus < Gr hektikos, habitual, hectic < hexis, permanent condition or habit of the body < echein, to have: for IE base see school