hysterical

== English == === Etymology === From hysteric +‎ -al, from Latin hystericus, from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the womb, hysterical”), from ῠ̔στέρᾱ (hŭstérā, “womb”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /hɪˈstɛɹɪkəl/ Rhymes: -ɛɹɪkəl === Adjective === hysterical (comparative more hysterical, superlative most hysterical) Of, or arising from hysteria. Having, or prone to having hysterics. Provoking uncontrollable laughter. ==== Usage notes ==== For usage caution, see hysteria § Usage notes. As with many terms that start with a non-silent h but have emphasis on their second syllable, some people precede hysterical with an, others with a. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== hysteric hysterics hysteria ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “hysterical”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “hysterical”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.