Panic

Pan"ic, n. [Gr. ? (with or without ? fear): cf. F. panigue. See Panic, a.] 1. A sudden, overpowering fright; esp., a sudden and groundless fright; terror inspired by a trifling cause or a misapprehension of danger; as, the troops were seized with a panic; they fled in a panic.

2. By extension: A sudden widespread fright or apprehension concerning financial affairs.

Pan"ic (?), n. [L. panicum.] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Panicum; panic grass; also, the edible grain of some species of panic grass.

Panic grass (Bot.), any grass of the genus Panicum.

Pan"ic, a. [Gr. ? of or pertaining to ? Pan, to whom the causing of sudden fright was ascribed: cf. F. panique.] Extreme or sudden and causeless; unreasonable; - - said of fear or fright; as, panic fear, terror, alarm. "A panic fright." Dryden.