frantic

Frantic is an adjective describing actions, emotions, or situations characterized by extreme haste and emotional agitation, typically driven by fear, anxiety, or urgent need. A frantic search or a frantic pace conveys both rapid movement and a sense of distress, while a frantic gesture may seem uncoordinated or impulsive.

Etymology and sense: The word enters English in the late 16th century, deriving from Latin franticus, itself from Greek phren- meaning mind or diaphragm in older physiology, and associated with frenzy or madness. Over time, frantic evolved from a sense of madness to describe hurried, panicked activity as well as disturbed states of mind.

Usage and nuance: Frantic is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often paired with adverbs such as frantically. Typical collocations include frantic pace, frantic search, and frantic activity. The term can imply distress, but it may also simply emphasize intense urgency. It is related to but distinct from frenetic, which conveys high energy and chaos and may be less tied to fear.

Cultural note: Frantic is the title of a 1988 thriller directed by Roman Polanski, starring Harrison Ford, about a physician in Paris whose wife disappears, prompting a dangerous chain of events. The word also appears in various literary and journalistic contexts to convey urgent, unsettled action.

See also: frenetic, panic, frenzy, haste.

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