[ma.nia] n [ME, fr. LL, fr. Gk, fr. mainesthai to be mad; akin to Gk menos spirit--more at mind] (14c) 1: excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specif: the manic phase of manic-depressive psychosis
2: excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm "a ~ for saving things"; also: the object of such enthusiasm