/ hɪˈstɪəriə; NAmE -ˈstɪr-/ noun [ U ]
1.
a state of extreme excitement, fear or anger in which a person, or a group of people, loses control of their emotions and starts to cry, laugh, etc. :
There was mass hysteria when the band came on stage.
A note of hysteria crept into her voice.
2.
( disapproving ) an extremely excited and exaggerated way of behaving or reacting to an event :
the usual media hysteria that surrounds royal visits
public hysteria about AIDS
3.
( medical ) a condition in which sb experiences violent or extreme emotions that they cannot control, especially as a result of shock
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WORD ORIGIN
early 19th cent.: from Latin hystericus from Greek husterikos of the womb, from hustera womb (hysteria being thought to be specific to women and associated with the womb).