Definition of: panic

(pan′ik) adjective
1. Of the nature of or resulting from sudden and infectious terror.
2. Of or pertaining to the Greek god Pan as the cause of fear: panic flight.
—noun
1. A sudden, unreasonable, overpowering fear, especially when affecting a large number simultaneously.
2. Sudden and overpowering alarm or distrust in financial or commercial circles, precipitating mercantile and banking failures. See synonyms under ALARM, FEAR, FRIGHT.
—v. ·icked, ·ick·ing v.t.
1. To affect with panic.
2. U.S. Slang To move to great applause or laughter: He panicked his audience.
—v.i.
3. To become affected with panic. [<MF panique <Gk. panikos of or for the god Pan, who was believed to cause sudden or groundless fear]
—pan′ick·y adjective