hysteric, a. and n.
(hɪˈstɛrɪk)
Also 7–8 histeric(k.
[ad. L. hysteric-us, ad. Gr. ὑστερικ-ός belonging to the womb, suffering in the womb, hysterical (f. ὑστέρα womb), esp. in ὑστερικὴ πνίξ, ὑστερικὰ πάθη, hysterica passio (see infra, 1). For the application of the word, see note to hysteria 1. Cf. F. hystérique (recorded 1568).]
A. adj.
1. = hysterical A. 1. hysteric passion: hysteria.
| 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 25 The Plague is a poyson..which retained in Histerick women [etc.]. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn., Vapours,..the Disease called otherwise Hysterick, or Hypochondriack Fits, or Melancholy. 1732 Arbuthnot Rules of Diet 377 Such as are Hypochondriacal and Hysterick. 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 401 Swediaur..affirms that men may labour under the hysteric passion as well as women. 1850 Kingsley Alt. Locke xxxviii, An hysteric or paralytic patient. |
2. = hysterical A. 2.
| 1751 Smollett Per. Pic. lxxvi, The united pangs..produced a sort of hysteric laugh. 1779 Sheridan Critic i. i, Misses and Ma'ams piping hysteric changes on Juliets and Dorindas, Pollys and Ophelias. 1832 Fair of May Fair III. Hearts & Diamonds viii. 35 Her voice was broken by hysteric sobs. 1889 R. St. J. Tyrwhitt in Univ. Rev. 15 Feb. 251 Professor Ruskin curses all field sports..with the hysteric passion of his later days. |
† 3. Of medicines: Having the property of curing hysteria; good for diseases of the uterus (see hysteria 1, note). Obs.
| 1694 Salmon Bates' Disp. (1713) 609/2 Any proper Hysterick or Cephalick Water, or Decoction. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Waters, Hysteric-Waters, are those proper to strengthen the matrix, or womb, and remedy the disorders that befal it. 1732 Arbuthnot Rules of Diet 257 Walnuts are cordial and hysterick, and gently sudorifick. |
B. n.
† 1. A remedy for hysteria; a medicine efficacious in uterine disorders. Obs.
| 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. iii. 92 We must first make use of aperient Hystericks. 1720 Blair in Phil. Trans. XXXI. 33 The Corymbiferous kind, are either Stomachicks, Hystericks, or Vermifuges. 1757 A. Cooper Distiller iii. xxvi. (1760) 189 This composition is..excellently adapted to the Intention of an Hysteric. |
2. One subject to hysteria.
| 1751 G. Lavington Enthus. Meth. & Papists (1754) II. iii. 100 Physicians have proved this to be the Case in common Hysterics and Epileptics. 1892 Athenæum 21 May 661/2 We have met the shepherdess of Domremy as strategist..as saint, as hysteric, and lastly..as spiritualistic medium. |
3. pl. hysterics [= Gr. τὰ ὑστερικά] (also sing.). A familiar equivalent of hysteria, but chiefly = hysterical fits or convulsions; hence (β) in sing.: A convulsive fit of laughter or weeping.
| 1727 Swift To a very young Lady, Those wives, who, when their husbands are gone a journey, must have a letter every post upon pain of fits and hystericks. 1754 Richardson Grandison (1781) III. xiii. 101 The woman..was taken out of the coach in violent hystericks. 1818 Byron Juan i. clxii, Sobs, And indications of hysterics. |
| β 1776 S. J. Pratt Pupil of Pleasure II. 76, I found Harriet in a strong hysteric. 1835 Lytton Rienzi ix. iv, He was thought to weep from hypocrisy, when in truth it was the hysteric of over-wrought and irritable emotion. 1856 F. E. Paget Owlet Owlst. 145 To control a fit of nerves, or a rising hysteric. 1870 L'Estrange Miss Mitford I. vii. 245 The lowly Maria fell into a sort of hysteric of fright, lamentation, and anger because she was not suffered to wear a diamond necklace. |
Hence hystericism (hɪˈstɛrɪsɪz(ə)m) [cf. F. hystéricisme], the state or condition of being hysterical; hysteria. hystericize (hɪˈstɛrɪsaɪz) v. intr., to go into hysterics.
| 1710 T. Fuller Pharm. Extemp. 394 Why then must Hystericism and Hypochondriacism be confusedly jumbl'd together? 1855 Mayne Expos. Lex., Hystericismus,..the same as Hysteria: the presence or existence of hysterical affection: hystericism. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 5 Dec. 3/1 The Newest Woman queens it here In all her last uncomely guises; A screaming Sisterhood severe Hystericises. |