/pˈænɪk/
Panic refers to a sudden feeling of fear or anxiety that leads to hurried or irrational behavior. In a noun form, it denotes an overwhelming fear that causes an individual to act without thinking. As a verb, it means to experience or cause someone to experience panic.
Frequency of Use: The word "panic" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, but it tends to appear more frequently in written forms, such as news articles, psychological discussions, or literature where emotional states are described.
(La panique s'est emparée de la foule lorsque l'alarme incendie a retenti.)
He didn't want to panic his team with bad news.
(Il ne voulait pas paniquer son équipe avec de mauvaises nouvelles.)
The sudden announcement caused panic among the employees.
The word "panic" is associated with various idiomatic expressions that reflect sudden fear or anxiety:
Example: She forgot her homework and left the class in a panic.
Panic button: A metaphor for a situation where one seeks to escape or call for help urgently.
Example: When things got too stressful, he wanted to hit the panic button.
Panic-stricken: Being filled with an irrational fear.
Example: The panic-stricken passengers awaited instructions from the crew.
Don't panic: A common expression used to reassure someone.
The word "panic" originates from the Greek god Pan, who was believed to instill irrational fear in people. The term entered the English language in the early 17th century, reflecting this association with sudden, overwhelming fear.
Synonyms: - Anxiety - Alarm - Fear
Antonyms: - Calm - Composure - Serenity
In summary, "panic" is a versatile term that encapsulates various types of fear and anxiety in both noun and verb forms, and it forms a basis for multiple idiomatic expressions commonly used in English.