I. ˈkrāz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English crasen, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish krasa to crush, smash, Norwegian, to crush, smash, crunch, probably of imitative origin
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to break to pieces : crush , smash
2.
a. now dialect Britain : to break without separation of parts crack
crazing the jug
b. : to produce minute cracks on the surface or glaze of — compare crackle II 2
3. archaic : to weaken or injure physically : make infirm
4. : to derange the intellect of : make insane or as if insane
crazed by drink
they were crazed by the famine and pestilence of that last bitter winter — American Guide Series: Washington
intransitive verb
1. archaic : shatter , break
2. : to become crazed : go mad
3. : to develop a mesh of fine cracks — used of solid plastics, surface coating (as pottery glazing), and adhesives
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete
a. : break , flaw , defect
b. : physical weakness : infirmity
2. : a transient infatuation : fad , mania
his craze for easy money
the cocktail craze
a craze for internal improvements spread over the country — Isaac Lippincott
3.
a. : a crazy condition
in a craze with pain
b. : craziness , insanity
the aristocracy and intricacy of their craze — Frederic Morton
4.
a. : cracking of ceramic glaze due to unequal contraction of body and glaze — compare crackle II 2
b. : hairline cracks on the surface (as of paint)
Synonyms: see fashion