Megalomania
/ˌmɛɡəloʊˈmeɪniə/noun
An obsession with extravagant or grandiose ideas, especially regarding one's own power or importance.
Did you know?The term 'Megalomania' emerged in the 19th century, reflecting societal fears of unchecked ambition and the darker sides of human nature.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέγας (mégas)
“great, large, mighty”
19th Century
French
mégalomanie
“a term coined to describe madness of greatness”
Modern English
English
megalomania
“an obsession with power and grandeur, often leading to delusional beliefs about one's importance”
19th Century
English
megalomania
“adopted into English to describe a psychological condition”
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