rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryhysteriaHistorical diagnosis
noun

hysteria

An obsolete diagnosis for symptoms attributed to psychological causes.

The historian examines records using the obsolete diagnosis hysteria.

Etymology
hysteriaGreekwomb

The Greek root means womb. The diagnosis reflects an obsolete belief linking the symptoms to the uterus, an explanation that does not describe their actual causes.

More examples

  • The physician had labeled the symptoms hysteria.
  • The lecture criticized older assumptions about hysteria.
  • She studied how the diagnosis of hysteria changed over time.

Forms

hysteria