panic

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pan•ic

[[t]ˈpæn ɪk[/t]] n. adj. v. -icked, -ick•ing

1) psi a sudden overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behavior and that can spread quickly through a crowd

2) psi an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear

3) psi an anxiety disorder characterized by feelings of impending doom and physical symptoms such as trembling and hyperventilation

4) bus a sudden widespread fear that the economy is faltering, causing stock values to fall and some banks to fail, as investments and savings are hastily withdrawn

5) sts Informal. someone or something that is considered hilariously funny

6) of the nature of, caused by, or indicating panic:

panic selling of stocks[/ex]

7) (cap.) of or pertaining to the god Pan

8) to affect with panic

9) sts Informal. to keep (an audience or the like) highly amused

10) to be stricken with panic; become frantic with fear

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Etymology: 1595–1605; earlier panique < F < Gk Panikós of Pan; see -ic pan′ick•y, adj. II

pan•ic

[[t]ˈpæn ɪk[/t]] n.

pln any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain

Also called pan′ic grass`.

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Etymology: 1375–1425; late ME < L pānicum a kind of millet