HECTIC


Meaning of HECTIC in English

I. ˈhektik, -tēk adjective

Etymology: alteration (influenced by Late Latin hecticus ) of Middle English etyk (as in fever etyk hectic fever), from Middle French etique, from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos habitual, habit-forming, consumptive, from hekt- (akin to echein to have) + -ikos -ic — more at scheme

1.

a. : habitual , constitutional , persistent ; specifically of a fever : fluctuating but persistently recurrent

hectic fevers are characteristic of tuberculosis and septicemia

b. : characteristic of or habitually accompanying a hectic fever

the hectic flush of tuberculosis

2. : marked by a hectic condition : having a hectic fever : consumptive

a hectic patient

3. : having a glowing quality : flushed , red

the hectic color had brightened in the boy's impatient face — Harriet La Barre

4. : characterized by excitement, bustle, or feverish activity : restless

the hectic years after oil was discovered — Harold Griffin

hectic travel through thirty different countries — Carveth Wells

things were so hectic we couldn't even keep track of the people, let alone the material — N.O.Wahlstrom

• hec·ti·cal·ly -tə̇k(ə)lē, -tēk-, -li adverb

II. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English etyk, short for fever etyk

1. : a hectic fever

2. : one affected by a hectic fever ; especially : consumptive

3. : hectic flush

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.