frenzy

Etymology

From Middle English frensy, frenesie, from Old French frenesie, from Latin phrenesis, from Ancient Greek *φρένησις (*phrénēsis), a later equivalent of φρενῖτις (phrenîtis, “inflammation of the brain”): see frantic and frenetic.

noun

1. A state of wild activity or panic.
   She went into a cleaning frenzy to prepare for the unexpected guests.
   It is during these frenzies that sharks have been known to bite everything in sight, including other sharks engaged in the same activity. 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, page 170
2. A violent agitation of the mind approaching madness; rage.

adj

1. (obsolete) Mad; frantic.
   They thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head. 1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress

verb

1. (uncommon) To render frantic.
   Both goaded on to strife by frenzying hate. 1833, James Anthony Froude, Fraser's Magazine - Volume 7, page 456
   Then there is the absorbing, not to say frenzying, interest, which attends our important elections. 1865, Gerrit Smith, Speeches and Letters of Gerrit Smith, page 14
2. (rare) To exhibit a frenzy, such as a feeding frenzy.
   The fresh smell of salt air, the sound of the crashing swell, the soothing immersion in the water, the sight of dolphins playing and fish frenzying beneath my board. 2009, Louise Southerden, Surf's Up: The Girl's Guide to Surfing