hysteric

[hi-ster-ik] /hɪˈstɛr ɪk/
noun
1.
Usually, hysterics. a fit of uncontrollable laughter or weeping; hysteria.
2.
a person subject to hysteria.
adjective
3.
hysterical.
Origin
1650-60; < Latin hystericus < Greek hysterikós, suffering in the womb, hysterical (reflecting the Greeks' belief that hysteria was peculiar to women and caused by disturbances in the uterus); see hystero-, -ic
Related forms
antihysteric, noun, adjective
Can be confused
hysterics, histrionics.
Examples from the web for hysterics
  • Suppose the host and hostess screamed with rage, threw dishes and collapsed in hysterics.
  • Our own hysterics are obvious from many of the comments on my story and from the larger debate over immigration.
  • The other people in the theater are also in hysterics.
  • But even so, conspiracy theorists immediately went into hysterics.
  • She seems to be pushing for as many hysterics as she can get in every scene.
  • They shot it yet again, the actors holding back their hysterics until the cameras were off.
  • Jody's hysterics at the climax, when he shoots the deer, seem also over-long.
  • Baker in hysterics saying he could not find the ring.
  • No morning without violent weeping, no day without hysterics.
  • After the shooting, the families encircled us in hysterics as they collected the bodies.
British Dictionary definitions for hysterics

hysterics

/hɪˈstɛrɪks/
noun (functioning as pl or singular)
1.
an attack of hysteria
2.
(informal) wild uncontrollable bursts of laughter

hysteric

/hɪˈstɛrɪk/
noun
1.
a hysterical person
adjective
2.
hysterical
See also hysterics
Word Origin
C17: from Latin hystericus literally: of the womb, from Greek husterikos, from hustera the womb; from the belief that hysteria in women originated in disorders of the womb
Word Origin and History for hysterics
n.

1727, from hysterical. Sometimes in 19c. jocularly folk-etymologized as high-strikes (1838).

hysteric

adj.

1650s, from Latin hystericus, from Greek hysterikos "belonging to the womb" (see hysterical). As a noun from 1751.

hysterics in Medicine

hysteric hys·ter·ic (hĭ-stěr'ĭk)
n.

  1. A person suffering from hysteria.

  2. hysterics A fit of uncontrollable laughing or crying.