Where does “frantically” come from?
Frantically derives from Middle English frantik, from Old French frenetique, from Late Latin phreneticus, from Latin phreniticus, from Ancient Greek φρενῑτικός meaning affected with inflammation of the mind, ultimately from Ancient Greek φρήν meaning mind or heart.
frantically (English): In a frantic way
Ancestry of “frantically”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | franticly | In a frantic manner |
| 2 | English | frantic | Insane, mentally unstable; In a state of panic,... |
| 3 | Middle English | frantik | — |
| 4 | Old French | frenetique | — |
| 5 | Latin | phreneticus | mad, delirious |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | φρενητικός | delirious |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | φρενῖτις | inflammation of the brain |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | φρήν | The midriff, stomach and lower chest or breast;... |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷʰren- | soul, mind; mind; an internal part of the body |