paranoia
Syllabification: (par·a·noi·a)
Pronunciation: /ˌparəˈnoiə/
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Definition of paranoia
noun
- a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality.
Derivatives
Origin:
early 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek, from paranoos 'distracted', from para 'irregular' + noos 'mind'