Mania definition |Dictionary.com

An excessively intense enthusiasm, interest, or desire; a craze: a mania for neatness.
Psychiatry A manifestation of bipolar disorder, characterized by profuse and rapidly changing ideas, exaggerated sexuality, gaiety, or irritability, and decreased sleep.
Violent abnormal behavior. See Synonyms at insanity.

[Middle English, madness, from Late Latin, from Greek maniā; see men-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mania

c.1400, "mental derangement characterized by excitement and delusion," from L.L. mania "insanity, madness," from Gk. mania "madness," related to mainesthai "to rage, go mad," mantis "seer," menos "passion, spirit," all from PIE *men- "to think, to have one's mind aroused, rage, be furious" (see mind (n.)). Sense of "fad, craze" is 1689, from Fr. manie. Used since 1500s (in imitation of Gk.) as the second element in compounds expressing particular types of madness (cf. nymphomania, 1775; kleptomania, 1830; megalomania, 1890).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

mania
noun
1.	an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
2.	a mood disorder; an affective disorder in which the victim tends to respond excessively and sometimes violently

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American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
mania [(may-nee-uh)]

Violent, abnormal, or impulsive behavior. In psychological terms, mania is wild activity associated with manic depression.

Note: A ®Äúmania®Äù in popular terms is an intense enthusiasm or craze.

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

mania ma·ni·a (mā'nē-ə, mān'yə)
n.
A manifestation of bipolar disorder characterized by profuse and rapidly changing ideas, exaggerated gaiety, and excessive physical activity.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Mania

Ma"ni*a\, n. [L. mania, Gr. ?, fr. ? to rage; cf. OE. manie, F. manie. Cf. Mind, n., Necromancy.]

1. Violent derangement of mind; madness; insanity. Cf. Delirium.

2. Excessive or unreasonable desire; insane passion affecting one or many people; as, the tulip mania.

Mania a potu [L.], madness from drinking; delirium tremens.

Syn: Insanity; derangement; madness; lunacy; alienation; aberration; delirium; frenzy. See Insanity.

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