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