online medical dictionary | definition of giddy

1. Having in the head a sensation of whirling or reeling about; having lost the power of preserving the balance of the body, and therefore wavering and inclined to fall; lightheaded; dizzy. "By giddy head and staggering legs betrayed." (Tate)

2. Promoting or inducing giddiness; as, a giddy height; a giddy precipice. "Upon the giddy footing of the hatches." (Shak)

3. Bewildering on account of rapid turning; running round with celerity; gyratory; whirling. "The giddy motion of the whirling mill." (Pope)

4. Characterised by inconstancy; unstable; changeable; fickle; wild; thoughtless; heedless. "Giddy, foolish hours." Rowe. "Giddy chance." Dryden. "Young heads are giddy and young hearts are warm." (Cowper)

Origin: OE. Gidi mad, silly, AS. Gidig, of unknown origin, cf. Norw. Gidda to shake, tremble.

(01 Mar 1998)