HYSTERICAL


Meaning of HYSTERICAL in English

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

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.