adj by extension: a sudden widespread fright or apprehension concerning financial affairs.
2. panic ·noun a plant of the genus panicum; panic grass; also, the edible grain of some species of panic grass.
3. panic ·adj extreme or sudden and causeless; unreasonable;
said of fear or fright; as, panic fear, terror, alarm.
4. panic ·adj a sudden, overpowering fright; ·esp., a sudden and groundless fright; terror inspired by a trifling cause or a misapprehension of danger; as, the troops were seized with a panic; they fled in a panic.