panicky etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Late 18th century
  • Source: From Late Latin panicus "belonging to the god Pan," from Greek Panikos "of Pan" (the Greek god of the wild), from pan "all" (referring to Pan's reputed fatherhood of all nature)

Meaning

  • A sudden, intense feeling of fear or anxiety that overwhelms a person and impairs their ability to think or act rationally.

Origin and Usage

The word "panicky" emerged in the late 18th century, derived from the Greek god Pan. In Greek mythology, Pan was a mischievous and unpredictable deity often associated with the wild and the irrational. The term "panic" initially described the sudden and overwhelming fear that could seize people when encountering Pan or his animalistic followers.

Over time, the meaning of "panicky" expanded to encompass any intense and irrational fear or anxiety, regardless of its source. The term is now commonly used to describe situations where people feel out of control and unable to reason clearly.

Examples

  • "She felt a panicky sensation rising within her as she realized she was lost in the vast forest."
  • "The news of the impending storm sent a wave of panicky anticipation through the entire town."
  • "The sudden appearance of a stranger caused the child to become panicky and cling tightly to her mother's hand."

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