Paranoid
/ˈpær.ə.nɔɪd/noun
Experiencing or characterized by unjustified mistrust, suspicion, or fears of persecution.
Did you know?The psychiatric term was built from Ancient Greek paranoia, which described derangement or an altered state of mind long before modern psychology formalized it.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward, through, or beyond; a root associated with movement across or beside something”
Ancient Greek
Greek
para
“Beside, alongside, or beyond”
Ancient Greek
Greek
nous / noos
“Mind, understanding, or intellect”
Ancient Greek
Greek
paranoia
“Derangement, madness, or a condition of disordered thought”
19th Century
English
paranoia
“A psychiatric condition involving delusions, especially delusions of persecution”
19th Century
English
paranoid
“Characterized by paranoia or excessive suspicion”
Modern English
English
paranoid
“Unjustifiably distrustful, fearful, or convinced that others intend harm”