panic
UK: ˈpænɪk | US: ˈpænɪk
n. sudden overwhelming fear, often causing irrational behavior
vt. to cause sudden fear or alarm
vi. to feel or show sudden uncontrollable fear
panic = pan<Greek god Pan> + ic<adjective suffix>
- pan (from Greek Pan, the god of wild nature, associated with sudden terror)
- ic (adjective-forming suffix, indicating "related to")
Etymology Origin:
The word "panic" originates from the Greek god Pan, who was believed to cause irrational fear in humans and animals, especially in lonely or wild places. The adjective panikos ("of Pan") evolved into Latin panicus and later Old French panique, eventually entering English as "panic." The term reflects the ancient belief that sudden, unexplainable terror was the work of this mischievous deity.
The crowd was in a state of panic when the fire alarm sounded.
News of the virus outbreak panicked the entire city.
She panicked and forgot her lines during the performance.
The stock market crash caused widespread panic among investors.
Don’t panic—we have plenty of time to solve the problem.