noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- antihysteric noun
Etymology
Origin of hysteric
1650–60; < Latin hystericus < Greek hysterikós, suffering in the womb, hysterical (reflecting the Greeks' belief that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances in the uterus); hystero-, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I thought for sure he’d go into hysterics, but instead he stopped crying and drifted off in Mard’s arms as she rocked him.
From Literature
Stefani’s boyfriend and her roommate are in hysterics as they listen, but Zola is far from entertained.
From Salon
Fans online were left in hysterics, with one X user calling it "the TV highlight of the year" while another said we'd "peaked as a nation".
From BBC
"I remember mum – she was in hysterics, crying."
From BBC
Once recovered and breathing properly, one snicker from either of us in remembrance of what had been so funny, and off we would go, falling back into hysterics.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
