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frenzy

noun

  1. mental disorder
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈfɹɛnzi/

adj

Etymology: From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic. Doublet of phrenesis.

  1. Mad; frantic.

    They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic. Doublet of phrenesis.

  1. A state of wild activity or panic.

    international media frenzy

    She went into a cleaning frenzy to prepare for the unexpected guests.

  2. A violent agitation of the mind approaching madness; rage.

    The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling.

    All else is towering frenzy and distraction.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic. Doublet of phrenesis.

  1. To render frantic.

    Both goaded on to strife by frenzying hate.

    Then there is the absorbing, not to say frenzying, interest, which attends our important elections.

  2. To exhibit a frenzy, such as a feeding frenzy.

    The fresh smell of salt air, the sound of the crashing swell, the soothing immersion in the water, the sight of dolphins playing and fish frenzying beneath my board.