Mad

MAD is the translation of various Hebrew and Greek words, sometimes denoting actual insanity, 1 Sam 21:13-15; 1 Cor 14:23, but generally signifying an uncontrollable excitement only, caused either by fierce wrath, Deut 28:28, Num 32:34; 2 Kgs 9:11; Luke 6:11; Acts 26:11, or the frenzy of idolatrous worship, 1 Kgs 18:26, 1 Kgs 18:28, or real inspiration, 1 Sam 19:21-24; comp. 2 Kgs 9:11; Jer 29:26; Acts 2:13. Only once in Scripture is madness connected with demoniacal possession. John 10:20. Among the Orientals, as among all semi-civilized people, madness was generally looked upon partly with pity, because God's hand was laid heavily on the madman, partly with reverence, because the mad mind, being shut up against all ordinary impressions, was considered open to supernatural or spiritualistic influences. Thus it became possible for David to effect his escape from the court of Achish by feigning madness. 1 Sam 21:13-15.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

An earthworm. [Written also made.]

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To make mad or furious; to madden. Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, It would have madded me. Shak.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See Madding. [Archaic] Chaucer. Festus said with great voice, Paul thou maddest. Wyclif (Acts).

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

1. Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane. I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of griefs would make men mad. Shak.

2. Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason; inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or hatred; mad against political reform. It is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. Jer. 1. 88. And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Acts xxvi. 11.

3. Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme rashness. "Mad demeanor." Milton. Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace. Franklin. The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled. Jowett (Thucyd.).

4. Extravagant; immoderate. "Be mad and merry." Shak. "Fetching mad bounds." Shak.

5. Furious with rage, terror, or disease; -- said of the lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad dog.

6. Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person. [Colloq.]

7. Having impaired polarity; -- applied to a compass needle. [Colloq.] Like mad, like a mad person; in a furious manner; as, to run like mad. L'Estrange. -- To run mad. (a) To become wild with excitement. (b) To run wildly about under the influence of hydrophobia; to become affected with hydrophobia. -- To run mad after, to pursue under the influence of infatuation or immoderate desire. "The world is running mad after farce." Dryden.

Part of speech: participle (p.)

of Made. Chaucer.