To run mad after

Mad Mad, a. [Compar. {Madder}; superl. {Maddest}.] [AS. gem?d, gem[=a]d, mad; akin to OS. gem?d foolish, OHG. gameit, Icel. mei?a to hurt, Goth. gam['a]ids weak, broken. ?.] 1. Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane. [1913 Webster]

I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of griefs would make men mad. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason; inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or hatred; mad against political reform. [1913 Webster]

It is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. --Jer. 1. 88. [1913 Webster]

And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. --Acts xxvi. 11. [1913 Webster]

3. Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme rashness. ``Mad demeanor.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace. --Franklin. [1913 Webster]

The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled. --Jowett (Thucyd.). [1913 Webster]

4. Extravagant; immoderate. ``Be mad and merry.'' --Shak. ``Fetching mad bounds.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Furious with rage, terror, or disease; -- said of the lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad dog. [1913 Webster]

6. Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

7. Having impaired polarity; -- applied to a compass needle. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

{Like mad}, like a mad person; in a furious manner; as, to run like mad. --L'Estrange.

{To run mad}. (a) To become wild with excitement. (b) To run wildly about under the influence of hydrophobia; to become affected with hydrophobia.

{To run mad after}, to pursue under the influence of infatuation or immoderate desire. ``The world is running mad after farce.'' --Dryden. [1913 Webster]