hys ‧ te ‧ ri ‧ a /hɪˈstɪəriə $ -ˈsteriə/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Origin: hysteric 'hysterical' (17-20 centuries) , from Latin hystericus , from Greek hystera ( ⇨ ↑ hysterectomy ); because it was believed hysteria was caused by the uterus ]
1 . extreme excitement that makes people cry, laugh, shout etc in a way that is out of control:
In a fit of hysteria, Silvia blamed me for causing her father’s death.
2 . a situation in which a lot of people feel fear, anger, or excitement, which makes them behave in an unreasonable way:
Since the general’s death, the population has been gripped by mass hysteria.
3 . medical a medical condition that upsets someone’s emotions and makes them suddenly feel very nervous, excited, anxious etc