Hyperkinetic
/ˌhaɪ.pər.kɪˈnɛt.ɪk/noun
Having excessive, rapid, or uncontrolled movement or activity.
Did you know?The first half comes from Greek hyper- meaning “over” or “beyond,” and the second from kinein, “to move,” the same ancient motion-root behind words like cinema and kinetics.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hyper-
“over, beyond, excessively”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kinein
“to move”
Late 19th Century
English
hyperkinetic
“characterized by excessive movement or activity”
20th Century
English
hyperkinetic
“used especially in medicine and psychology for abnormally active, restless behavior”
Explore more surprising origins