həˈsterə̇kəl, (ˈ)hi|s-, -rēk- adjective
Etymology: Latin hysteric us hysterical (from Greek hysterikos, from hystera womb + -ikos -ic) + English -al; from its being originally applied to women thought to be suffering from disturbances of the womb
1. : of, relating to, or marked by hysteria
during hysterical conditions various functions of the human body are disordered — Morris Fishbein
— compare psychogenic
2. : exhibiting unrestrained emotionalism
had absorbed all the serenity of America, and left none for his restless, rickety, hysterical countrymen — R.W.Emerson
• hys·ter·i·cal·ly -rə̇k(ə)lē, -rēk-, -li adverb