n 恐(惊)慌(sudden uncontrolled fear，esp among many people) [U，C]a～decision/price 惊慌失措的决定/恐慌价格;～fear/buying 极度的恐惧/恐慌性抢购;The whole town was in a (state of)～.整个镇子处于恐慌之中。The news of the war filled us with～. 战争的消息使我们一片恐慌。The fire caused (a)～in the cinema. 火灾在电影院中引起一片恐慌。In a～he scrambled to his feet and ran into the other room. 他吓坏了，站起身来奔到另一个房间。 She suddenly got into a～and stopped her car. 她突然感到惊恐，便把车停了下来。〖同〗terror，fear，fright，horror;

panic stations惊慌(的状态)(infml)：It was～stations when the alarm sounded. 警报器拉响时，人们一片惊慌。

v (使)受惊，(使)惊慌 ((cause to)become so frightened that one loses the power to think clearly) [I，T+n]：In case of fire，don't～. 遇到失火时，千万不要惊慌。The children～ked when they realized they were lost. 孩子们发觉自己迷路时惊慌失措。This idea might～the international bankers. 这个想法可能会使各国银行家惶恐不安。Gunshots～ked the cattle. 枪炮声使牛受惊了。

panic sb into doing sth (常pass)使……受惊而(草率)行事：His words～ked her into taking an action she later regretted. 他的话使她惊慌失措，匆匆采取了一个后来感到懊悔的行动。〖同〗horror，terror，fright;

→′panicky adj 恐慌的;易起恐慌的;′panic-stricken adj 惊慌失措的;

【辨异】panic与horror和terror的区别见HORROR。