hysteric
hysteric — noun
1. a person who has a condition called hysteria, in which stress or emotional shock
a person who has a condition called hysteria, in which stress or emotional shock causes sudden physical symptoms or intense emotional outbursts, although no physical disease can explain them
Aunt Rosa's grandmother was labelled a hysteric by doctors who did not understand her symptoms.
passive: labelled a hysteric by doctors
In the 19th century, many women diagnosed as hysterics received treatments that seem cruel today.
historical register: diagnosed as hysterics
The medical textbook described the signs of a hysteric, including fainting and sudden emotional outbursts.
Noor found old records listing her great-grandmother as a hysteric with no further explanation.
文法句型
labelled / diagnosed as a hysteric
treat someone as a hysteric
用法筆記
The term has a contested medical history. It was once a formal diagnosis applied broadly to women, but it is no longer used in modern clinical practice. Contemporary medical terms such as 'conversion disorder' or 'functional neurological symptom disorder' have replaced it.
常見錯誤
2. someone whose emotional reactions are so extreme that they seem unreasonable or
someone whose emotional reactions are so extreme that they seem unreasonable or out of control, often used as a dismissive or insulting label
A few critics dismissed the singer's passionate speech as the ranting of a hysteric.
dismissive label: dismissed as a hysteric
After the argument, Tanvi's brother called her a hysteric, which only made her angrier.
The newspaper headline called the protesters hysterics, but the article showed their demands were reasonable.
Lucía refused to engage with the comment, as calling someone a hysteric rarely helps.
- drama queen
informal and milder, suggesting exaggerated behaviour for attention rather than genuine emotional distress
- fanatic
describes someone with extreme enthusiasm for a cause, not emotional instability
- stoic
a person who endures hardship without showing feelings or complaining
文法句型
call someone a hysteric
dismiss someone as a hysteric
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used to dismiss or criticise someone's emotional response. It can be offensive because it implies the person's feelings are not valid. The word carries a stronger negative force than milder alternatives such as 'dramatic' or 'emotional'.