frantic

Definition

Insane, mentally unstable.

Etymology

From Middle English frantike, frentik, variant of frenetik, from Old French frenetique, from Late Latin phreneticus, alteration of phreniticus, from φρενιτικός (phrenitikós, “mad, suffering from inflammation of the brain”), from φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”), from φρήν (phrḗn, “the brain”). Doublet of frenetic and phrenitic.

Example Sentences

• "Master have mercy on my sonne, for he is franticke: and ys sore vexed."
• "If with myself I hold intelligence, Or have acquaintance with mine own desires; If that I do not dream, or be not frantic— As I do trust I am not—then, dear uncle, Never so much as in a thought unborn Did I offend your Highness."
• "They returned the missing child to his frantic mother."

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