panic Hear it!

panic1 definition

panic (pan′ik)

noun

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

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 panicked -·icked, panicking -·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

Related Forms:

panic 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

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook