n.
Pronunciation: ˌ per- ə - ' no ̇ i- ə , ˌ pa-r ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, madness, from paranous demented, from para- + nous mind
Date: circa 1811
1 : a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
2 : a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
– para · noi · ac \ - ' no ̇ i- ˌ ak, - ' no ̇ i-ik \ also para · noic \ - ' no ̇ i(-i)k, - ' n ō -ik \ adjective or noun
– para · noi · cal · ly \ - ' no ̇ i(-i)-k( ə -)l ē , - ' n ō -i-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb