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Madding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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madding

[หˆmรฆd.ษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

intense frustration

Madding refers to the state of being frantically mad or in a frenzy. It is often used in literary contexts to describe overwhelming emotions or rampant chaos.

Synonyms

agitated, crazy, distraught, frenzied, wild.

Examples of usage

  • The madding crowd filled the streets during the festival.
  • He felt madding anxiety before the big presentation.
  • In the madding rush, she nearly lost her wallet.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • The phrase 'madding crowd' is famously used in Thomas Hardy's novel 'Far from the Madding Crowd', exploring themes of love and rural life.
  • In literature, the term often captures the reckless enthusiasm or chaotic behaviour of people caught up in events.
  • Historical poetic texts highlight the contrast between 'madding crowds' and serene nature, emphasizing societal chaos versus tranquility.

Culture

  • In popular culture, 'madding' invokes images of festivals where people lose themselves to excitement and noise.
  • Music festivals often create a 'madding' atmosphere where crowds jump and sing together, embodying wild joy.
  • The term is also referenced in artworks depicting scenes of urban life, showcasing the frenetic energy of city crowds.

Psychology

  • In psychology, being in a 'madding' state can relate to crowd behaviour, where individuals might act irrationally when part of a large group.
  • Crowd psychology studies how anonymity among many can reduce personal accountability, leading to more extreme behaviours.
  • The chaotic feeling can provoke stress and anxiety, leading to explorations in therapeutic settings on managing overwhelming emotions.

Origin of 'madding'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'madding' comes from the Middle English word 'madden', which means to be mad or insane.
  • It is often used in the phrase 'the madding crowd', which highlights a sense of chaos in large groups of people.
  • Madding connects to earlier roots in Old Norse, where similar sounds suggested madness or frenzy.

The word 'madding' derives from the Middle English word 'madde', which means 'mad' or 'insane'. This, in turn, comes from the Old English 'gemรฆdgian', which referred to a state of being 'mad' or 'frenzied'. The use of 'madding' often appears in the phrase 'madding crowd', popularized by Thomas Hardy in his novel 'Jude the Obscure' (1895). Hardy's usage captures the chaotic nature of large gatherings and the overwhelming emotions that can accompany such crowds. Over time, 'madding' has retained a literary flair, often used to evoke strong emotions or illustrate tumultuous situations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,335, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.