Main Entry: para·noia

Pronunciation: \ˌper-ə-ˈnȯi-ə, ˌpa-rə-\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, madness, from paranous demented, from para- + nous mind

Date: circa 1811

1 : a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
2 : a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others

— para·noi·ac \-ˈnȯi-ˌak, -ˈnȯi-ik\ also para·noic \-ˈnȯi(-i)k, -ˈnō-ik\ adjective or noun

— para·noi·cal·ly \-ˈnȯi(-i)-k(ə-)lē, -ˈnō-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb