pan·ic (păn'ĭk)
n.

1. A sudden, overpowering terror, often affecting many people at once. See synonyms at fear.
2. A sudden widespread alarm concerning finances, often resulting in a rush to sell property: a stock-market panic.
3. Slang. One that is uproariously funny.

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or resulting from sudden, overwhelming terror: panic flight.
2. Of or resulting from a financial panic: panic selling of securities.
3. often Panic Mythology. Of or relating to Pan.

tr. & intr.v., -icked, -ick·ing, -ics.
To affect or be affected with panic. See synonyms at frighten.

[From French panique, terrified, from Greek Pānikos, of Pan (a source of terror, as in flocks or herds), groundless (used of fear), from Pān, Pan. See Pan.]

panicky pan'ick·y adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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