Nearby Words

madness

[mad-nis] Origin

mad·ness

[mad-nis]
noun
1.
the state of being mad; insanity.
2.
senseless folly: It is sheer madness to speak as you do.
3.
frenzy; rage.
4.
intense excitement or enthusiasm.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English madnesse. See mad, -ness

pre·mad·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Madness is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
madness (ˈmædnɪs)
 
n
1.  insanity; lunacy
2.  extreme anger, excitement, or foolishness
3.  a nontechnical word for rabies

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

madness
late 14c., from mad + -ness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

madness mad·ness (mād'nĭs)
n.
The quality or condition of being insane.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Easton
Bible Dictionary

Madness definition


This word is used in its proper sense in Deut. 28:34, John 10:20, 1 Cor. 14:23. It also denotes a reckless state of mind arising from various causes, as over-study (Eccl. 1:17; 2:12), blind rage (Luke 6:11), or a depraved temper (Eccl. 7:25; 9:3; 2 Pet. 2:16). David feigned madness (1 Sam. 21:13) at Gath because he "was sore afraid of Achish."

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

madness

see method in one's madness.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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