hectic

adj.frantic, turbulent

Synonyms for hectic

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Antonyms for hectic

Word Origin & History

late 14c., etik (in fever etik), from Old French etique "consumptive," from Late Latin hecticus, from Greek hektikos "continuous, habitual, consumptive" (of a disease, because of the constant fever), from hexis "a habit (of mind or body)," from ekhein "have, hold, continue" (see scheme).

The Latin -h- was restored in English 16c. Sense of "feverishly exciting, full of disorganized activity" first recorded 1904, but hectic also was used in Middle English as a noun meaning "feverish desire, consuming passion" (early 15c.). Hectic fevers are characterized by rapid pulse, among other symptoms. Related: Hecticness.

Example Sentences forhectic

His cheeks were hollow and hectic, his eyes were glistening as with fever, his chest heaved.

Not strong, sir—he has a hectic colour—as I was very sorry to see.

The nervous, hectic state of the journalists made him feel nervous too.

As for Kendrick, it was the busiest, most hectic morning he had ever experienced.

His pale cheeks were lit by a hectic flush of intense feeling.

Now they were flushed and hectic with a suggestion of the inward fire that lit her eyes.

We've had to hustle, but I reckon we've given them a hectic time of it.

Things were hectic already, less than four months after we'd started.

His colour was hectic and gaudy; and in composition he possessed little skill.

The two lone revellers remain at the pier-table, moody and hectic.

hectic

busier

busiest

busy

exciting

feverish

hectic

More words related to hectic

burning

busier

busiest

busy

exciting

feverish