Maniacal
/ˌmæn.iˈæk.əl/noun
Relating to or characteristic of mania; wildly frenzied or obsessive.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek *mania*, which could mean madness, but also an inspired, ecstatic state—so the line between holy frenzy and insanity was historically much thinner than we think.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μανία (manía)
“madness, frenzy, inspired rage or ecstasy”
Late Latin
Latin
maniacus
“mad, frantic, affected by mania”
Old French
Old French
maniacal / maniaque
“mad, insane, frantic”
14th–16th Century
English
maniacal
“mad, frenzied, or mentally deranged”
Modern English
English
maniacal
“wildly frenzied, obsessive, or insane in manner”