anxiety

[ ang-zahy-i-tee ]
/ æŋˈzaɪ ɪ ti /

noun, plural anx·i·e·ties.

distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune: He felt anxiety about the possible loss of his job.
earnest but tense desire; eagerness: He had a keen anxiety to succeed in his work.
Psychiatry. a state of apprehension and psychic tension occurring in some forms of mental disorder.

Origin of anxiety

1515–25; < Latin anxietās, equivalent to anxi(us) anxious + -etās, variant of -itās before a vowel

synonym study for anxiety

1. See apprehension.

Example sentences from the Web for anxiety

British Dictionary definitions for anxiety

anxiety
/ (æŋˈzaɪɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

a state of uneasiness or tension caused by apprehension of possible future misfortune, danger, etc; worry
intense desire; eagerness
psychol a state of intense apprehension or worry often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shaking, intense feelings in the gut, etc, common in mental illness or after a very distressing experience See also angst

Word Origin for anxiety

C16: from Latin anxietas; see anxious

Medical definitions for anxiety

anxiety
[ ăng-zīĭ-tē ]

n.

A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties.
A cause of anxiety.
A state of intense apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation, often to a degree that normal physical and psychological functioning is disrupted.

Scientific definitions for anxiety

anxiety
[ ăng-zīĭ-tē ]

A state of apprehension and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation.♦ In psychiatry, a patient has an anxiety disorder ♦ if normal psychological functioning is disrupted or if anxiety persists without an identifiable cause.

Cultural definitions for anxiety

anxiety

Emotional distress, especially that brought on by fear of failure. (See also angst.)