frenetic
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L336954 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /fɹəˈnɛt.ɪk/ / /ˈfɹɛ.nɪt.ɪk/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English frenetik (also frentik, frentyk, frantike > modern English frantic), from Old French frenetike, from Latin phreneticus, from Ancient Greek φρενητικός (phrenētikós, “delirious”), from φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “delirium”), from φρήν (phrḗn, “mind”). Doublet of frantic and phrenitic. Etymologically, initial stress would be expected (compare the syncopic form phrentic); the modern pronunciation with stress on the second syllable is due to the influence of other words ending in -etic such as phonetic and sympathetic.
- Frenzied and frantic, harried; having extreme enthusiasm or energy.
“After a week of working at a frenetic pace, she was ready for Saturday.”
- Mentally deranged, insane.
- Characterised by manifestations of delirium or madness.
noun
Etymology: From Middle English frenetik (also frentik, frentyk, frantike > modern English frantic), from Old French frenetike, from Latin phreneticus, from Ancient Greek φρενητικός (phrenētikós, “delirious”), from φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “delirium”), from φρήν (phrḗn, “mind”). Doublet of frantic and phrenitic. Etymologically, initial stress would be expected (compare the syncopic form phrentic); the modern pronunciation with stress on the second syllable is due to the influence of other words ending in -etic such as phonetic and sympathetic.
- One who is frenetic.