frantic

frantic (ˈfræntɪk)

—*adj*
1.	distracted with fear, pain, joy, etc
2.	marked by or showing frenzy: frantic efforts
3.	archaic insane

[C14: from Old French frenetique, from Latin phrenēticus mad, frenetic]

'frantically

—*adv*

'franticly

—*adv*

'franticness

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

frantic

mid-14c., "insane," unexplained variant of M.E. frentik (see frenetic). Transferred meaning "affected by wild excitement" is from late 15c. Of the adv. forms, frantically (1749) is later than franticly (1540s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

frantic definition

mod.
great; wild. : We had a frantic time at Chez Freddy.

Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences

If you're frantic and uptight, they can make things easier.

With white tails pointed skyward, they stomp their feet at a frantic pace,

creating a drumming noise.

And then, when they see the physical stuff is not working, they get a little

frantic.

The visiting friend then had to perform the role of the frantic claims reporter

and was given a cut of the insurance money.

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desperate fantod folia hectic manic overwrought

Matching Quote

"The outline of the city became frantic in its effort to explain something that defied meaning. Power seemed to have outgrown its servitude and to have asserted its freedom. The cylinder had exploded, and thrown great masses of stone and steam against the sky."

-Henry Brooks Adams