nervous breakdown
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.93 in modern English
29
Scrabble Score
16
Letters
3
Syllables
12
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An attack of a psychological disorder such as anxiety or depression which is so severe that it prevents a person from continuing to function normally.
noun
A psychological disorder usually characterized by panic attacks and aggressiveness, related to the Hispanic ataque de nervios.
Example Sentences
- "1887, George Gissing, Thyrza There was organic disease, and there was what is vaguely called nervous breakdown; it was too clear that Mr. Newthorpe must count upon very moderate activity either of mind or body henceforth."
- "1915, P. G. Wodehouse, Something New ...will you kindly think up at your earliest convenience some plan for politely ejecting this Mr Chalmers of yours from our humble home?--because if you don't, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown."