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
- literally of Pan
- of sudden fear, as supposedly inspired by Pan
- having the nature of, or showing or resulting from, panic
Etymology: Fr panique < Gr panikos, of Pan, after Pan
noun
- a sudden, unreasoning, hysterical fear, often spreading quickly
- a widespread fear of the collapse of the financial system, resulting in unreasoned attempts to turn property into cash, withdraw money, etc.
- Slang a person or thing considered extremely humorous or entertaining
transitive verb -·icked, -·ick·ing
- to affect with panic
- Slang to convulse (a listener, audience, etc.) with laughter, delight, etc.
intransitive verb
to give way to or show panic
panic² Related Forms
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.
Overpowering fright
Mob action, impelled by panic, sense 1
mob hysteria, group hysteria, frenzy, crush, rush, jam; see also confusion 2.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 Finance Definition
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
Browse dictionary entries near panic
- ‹ Panhellenism
- ‹ Panhellenic
- ‹ panhandler
- ‹ panhandle
- ‹ pangram
- ‹ pangolin
- ‹ Pango Pango
- ‹ Panglossian
- ‹ Pangkor,Treaty of
- ‹ pangenesis

