frantic

comparative more frantic · superlative most frantic · alternative obsolete frantick · alternative archaic phrantic · alternative obsolete phrantick

1. archaicInsane, mentally unstable.

   Master have mercy on my sonne, for he is franticke: and ys sore vexed.

   1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew

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   If with myself I hold intelligence, Or have acquaintance with mine own desires; If that I do not dream, or be not frantic— As I do trust I am not—then, dear uncle, Never so much as in a thought unborn Did I offend your Highness.

   c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

2. In a state of panic, worry, frenzy, or rush.

   They returned the missing child to his frantic mother.

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   Sir George bore the annoyances of the night as a very vain man does totally unaccustomed to mortification. He was frantic with passion; he longed to kill somebody, but he did not know who.

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Assignation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 247

   Synonyms: tearing, mad

3. Extremely energetic.

   frantic music

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   At the end of a frantic first 45 minutes, there was still time for Charlie Adam to strike the bar from 20 yards before referee Atkinson departed to a deafening chorus of jeering from Everton's fans.

   2011 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport

plural frantics · alternative obsolete frantick · alternative archaic phrantic · alternative obsolete phrantick

1. archaicA person who is insane or mentally unstable, madman.

   1595, George Peele, The Old Wives’ Tale, The Malone Society Reprints, 1908, lines 3-5, How nowe fellowe Franticke, what all a mort? Doth this sadnes become thy madnes?

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   […] who but senseless Franticks would have thoughts so poor? My Reason forsakes the government of this weak Frame, and I am fall’n into disorder […]

   1657, Aston Cockayne, The Obstinate Lady, London: Isaac Pridmore, act V, scene 3, page 56

   1721, Cotton Mather, diary entry for 16 July, 1721 in Diary of Cotton Mather, 1709-1724, Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, Seventh Series, Volume VIII, Boston: 1912, p. 632, The Destroyer, being enraged at the Proposal of any Thing, that may rescue the Lives of our poor People from him, has taken a strange Possession of the People on this Occasion. They rave, they rail, they blaspheme; they talk not only like Ideots but also like Franticks, […]