Corybantiasm

/ˌkɔːrɪˈbænʃɪæzəm/ noun

Definition

A state of frenzied excitement or ecstatic behavior, or the practices and beliefs of the Corybants.

Etymology

Formed from 'corybant' with the suffix '-ism' indicating a system, practice, or condition. This noun form allowed English speakers to describe both the religious movement and any wild, uncontrolled behavior reminiscent of it.

Kelly Says

Medieval and Renaissance scholars used 'corybantiasm' to describe uncontrollable religious fervor they witnessed in their own time—it was their clinical term for what happens when religious ecstasy gets genuinely out of hand!

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