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hysteric

Syllabification: (hys·ter·ic)

Pronunciation: /hiˈsterik/

Definition of hysteric

noun

1 (hysterics) informal a wildly emotional and exaggerated reaction:the child has been seized with regular fits of hysterics at bedtime
uncontrollable laughter:this started them both giggling and they fled upstairs in hysterics

2a person suffering from hysteria.

adjective

another term for hysterical (sense 2).

Origin:

mid 17th century (as an adjective): via Latin from Greek husterikos 'of the womb', from hustera 'womb' (hysteria being thought to be specific to women and associated with the womb), related to uterus