Emphrensy

/ɛmˈfrɛnzi/ noun

Definition

An archaic or obsolete form of frenzy, meaning wild excitement, violent emotion, or delirium; a state of mental confusion.

Etymology

From em- (intensive prefix) + frenzy (from Greek phrenitis 'inflammation of the mind'). The em- prefix intensified the original Greek sense of brain inflammation.

Kelly Says

Emphrensy shows how English added em- prefixes to intensify meanings, but eventually speakers realized 'frenzy' was already intense enough, so the em- version faded away.

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