panic

Where it comes from

Panic came through French from Greek panikos, of Pan. The pastoral god was believed capable of causing sudden, groundless fear in people, crowds, or herds.

How the meaning developed

English first used panic as an adjective in phrases such as panic fear. It later became the noun and verb we use for overpowering fright.

In use

“Panic” means overwhelming fear.
Its name connects to Pan, a god in Greek mythology.
People believed he could suddenly frighten crowds or herds.

Greek “panikos” meant “of Pan”. It described the sudden fear people associated with him.
The word reached English through French. English first used it in phrases such as “panic fear”, then as a word for overpowering fear itself.