craze

views updated May 21 2018

craze / krāz/ • n. an enthusiasm for a particular activity or object that typically appears suddenly and achieves widespread but short-lived popularity: the latest craze for bungee jumping.• v. [tr.] 1. [usu. as adj.] (crazed) wildly insane or excited: a crazed killer | power-crazed tinpot dictators.2. (often be crazed) produce a network of fine cracks on (a surface): the lake was frozen over but crazed with cracks. ∎  [intr.] develop such cracks.

craze

views updated Jun 11 2018

craze †shatter, crack XIV; †break down in health; impair in intellect (cf. cracked) XV. perh. — ON. *krasa (cf. Sw. krasa crunch).
Hence craze sb. †crack, flaw XVI; †crack-brain XVII; insane fancy, mania XIX. crazy unsound, liable to fall to pieces; †failing in health XVI; of unsound mind XVII; see -Y 1.

Craze

views updated May 21 2018

Craze ★★ The Infernal Idol; Demon Master 1974 (R)

Toungueincheek tale of a crazed antique dealer who slays a number of women as sacrifices to an African idol named Chuku. 96m/C VHS, DVD . Jack Palance, Diana Dors, Julie Ege, Suzy Kendall, Michael Jayston, Edith Evans, Hugh Griffith, Trevor Howard; D: Freddie Francis.