1. In medicine, an acute anxiety, terror, or fright that is usually that usually happens suddenly and which may be uncontrollable, and require sedation.

Symptoms of a panic attack may include any of the following: shortness of breath or a smothering sensation, palpitations and tachycardia, trembling, sweating, choking, nausea or abdominal distress, numbness or parenthesizes, hot flashes or chills, chest pain or discomfort, a fear of dying, and a fear of losing one's mind or of doing something uncontrollable.

2. Etymology: a "terror caused by the god Pan". The ancient Greeks believed that he lurked in lonely spots, and would frighten people by suddenly appearing or by making noises.

English acquired the word via French panique and modern Latin panicus from Greek panikos, "of Pan".