Hysterical
/hɪˈstɛr.ɪ.kəl/noun
Marked by uncontrolled, extreme emotion or laughter; also, in medicine, relating to a state once attributed to hysteria.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek hystera, meaning “womb,” because ancient physicians believed certain emotional disorders in women were caused by a wandering uterus.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hystera
“womb; uterus”
Late Greek
Greek
hysterikos
“of the womb; suffering from a disorder thought to arise in the womb”
16th Century
Latin
hystericus
“pertaining to the womb; later, emotional or convulsive disorders”
17th Century
English
hysteric
“one suffering from hysteria; emotionally overexcited”
19th Century
English
hysterical
“relating to hysteria; wildly emotional, frenzied”
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