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panic¹ Definition

panic (pan′ik)

noun

any of several grasses (genus Panicum), as millet, used as fodder

Etymology: ME panyk < L panicum, kind of millet < panus, ear of millet, a swelling < IE base *pank-, to swell > Pol pąk, a bud

panic² Definition

panic (pan′ik)

adjective

  1. literally of Pan
  2. of sudden fear, as supposedly inspired by Pan
  3. having the nature of, or showing or resulting from, panic

Etymology: Fr panique < Gr panikos, of Pan, after Pan

noun

  1. a sudden, unreasoning, hysterical fear, often spreading quickly
  2. a widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
  3. Slang a person or thing considered extremely humorous or entertaining

transitive verb -·icked, -·ick·ing

  1. to affect with panic
  2. Slang to convulse (a listener, audience, etc.) with laughter, delight, etc.

intransitive verb

to give way to or show panic

panic² Related Forms

pan′·ic·ally adverb pan′·icky adjective

panic² Idioms

push the panic button

or press the panic button or hit the panic button☆

Slang to panic; specif., to react to a crisis with some frantic, often disastrous action

panic Synonyms

panic

n.

  1. Overpowering fright

    fear, dread, alarm, fright; see fear 1.

  2. Mob action, impelled by panic, sense 1

    mob hysteria, group hysteria, frenzy, crush, rush, jam; see also confusion 2.

  3. A wave of financial hysteria

    run on the bank, crash, economic decline; see depression 3. See syn. study at fear.

push the panic button*

panic, become afraid, dread; see fear 1.

panic Finance Definition

A widespread and significant fear that the market or economy is going to collapse. A panic leads to massive bank deposit withdrawals and possible banking collapses, as well as falling stock prices. Panics occurred at the height of the Great Depression in the U.S. when bank depositors by the hundreds descended on their banks to withdraw their deposits for fear that the bank would fail and they would lose all of their money. A panic is usually a relatively short-lived phenomenon, in contrast to a recession or depression, which last six months to several years.

panic Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • ensue: In the ensuing panic, the criminal makes his getaway.
  • spark: They spent hours in their favorite MUDs, sparking the first panic about Net addiction.
  • induce: We started off pretty confidently with the fans in good voice but the early penalty induced panic on the pitch and in the stands.
  • cause: Finger Student Steve slices his finger off causing mass panic in the shop.
  • strike: Mysteriously before the king had even looked at the saint's coffin he found himself breathless and panic stricken by a sudden burning fever.

Adjective modifier

  • 'moral: Describe what is meant by the term 'moral panic ' , using your own words as far as possible.
  • moral: Sometimes moral panic can be created by certain individuals or groups.
  • last-minute: After a few last-minute panics, would Carrie's dream of a winter wonderland wedding come true?
  • momentary: Barbara's momentary panic on parting from Beth is shortened.
  • blind: The noise, the spectacle, the looks on the faces of passers-by ranging from concern to blind panic.
  • don't: If you crack a fitting while removing it, don't panic!

Modifies a noun

  • attack: A useful feature is the two panic attack buttons located on the top of the keypad.
  • buying: Indeed, there were a few firms bringing their sales forward a week, to benefit from last-minute panic buying.
  • disorder: In panic disorder the panic attacks may happen at any time.
  • button: A useful feature is the two panic attack buttons located on the top of the keypad.
  • alarm: Panic alarms are to be handed out next week at the railroad station.
  • selling: Early the following week, " Black Tuesday " , 29th of October, panic selling set in again.

Noun used with modifier

  • kernel: And why does the kernel panic once is does see more memory?
  • dont: If you don't understand any of those terms above, dont panic.
  • flu: Court rules NSA wiretapping program unconstitutional, orders halt Bird flu panic.