Frenzy

Pronunciation

Alternative forms

• phrenzy, phrensy obsolete

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις, a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenitis, "inflammation of the brain"): see frantic and frenetic.

Full definition of frenzy

Noun

1. A state of wild activity or panic.She went into a cleaning frenzy to prepare for the unexpected guests.
2. A violent agitation of the mind approaching madness; rage.
• AddisonAll else is towering frenzy and distraction.
• William Shakespeare, ''A midsummer Night's Dream, Act 5, scene 1:The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling.

Derived terms

• feeding frenzy

Related terms

• frantic
• frenetic
• frenzied

Adjective

1. (obsolete) mad; frantic
• 1678 John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress:They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head.

Verb

1. (uncommon) To render frantic.