—adj.
1 busy and confused; excited.
2 having a hectic fever; morbidly flushed.
—n.
1 a hectic fever or flush.
2 a patient suffering from this.
Phrases and idioms:
hectic fever (or flush) hist. a fever which accompanies consumption and similar diseases, with flushed cheeks and hot dry skin.
Derivatives:
hectically adv.
Etymology: ME etik f. OF etique f. LL hecticus f. Gk hektikos habitual f. hexis habit, assim. to F hectique or LL
Useful english dictionary. 2012.