hysteria

hysteria definition - medical

hys·ter·i·a (hĭ-stĕrˈē-ə, -stîrˈ-)

noun
  1. A psychiatric disorder characterized by the presentation of a physical ailment without an organic cause.
  2. Excessive or uncontrollable emotion, such as fear.

Related Forms:

  • hys·terˈic (hĭ-stĕrˈĭk), hys·terˈi·cal (hĭ-stĕrˈĭ-kəl) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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