panic

pan|ic¹ S3 [ˈpænık] n

[Date: 1600-1700; : French; Origin: panique 'caused by panic', from Greek panikos, from Pan ancient Greek god of nature, who caused great fear]

1.) [C usually singular, U]

a sudden strong feeling of fear or nervousness that makes you unable to think clearly or behave sensibly

in (a) panic

▪ The children fled in panic.

▪ a feeling of sheer panic (=complete panic)

▪ She got into a panic when she couldn't find the tickets.

▪ The whole nation is in a state of panic following the attacks.

▪ She suffers from terrible panic attacks .

2.) [C usually singular, U]

a situation in which people are suddenly made very anxious, and make quick decisions without thinking carefully

panic over/about

▪ the recent panic over the safety of baby milk

panic buying/selling

▪ a wave of panic selling in Hong Kong

3.) [singular] especially BrE a situation in which you have a lot to do and not much time to do it in

→↑rush

▪ the usual last minute panic just before the deadline

4.) panic stations

BrE a situation in which everyone is busy and anxious because something needs to be done urgently

▪ It was panic stations here on Friday.

panic ²

panic² past tense and past participle panicked present participle panicking

v [I and T]

to suddenly feel so frightened that you cannot think clearly or behave sensibly, or to make someone do this

▪ He started to panic when he saw the gun.

▪ Don't panic! We'll soon get you out of there.

panic sb into doing sth

▪ The protests became more violent and many people were panicked into leaving the country.