Lunatic
Lunatic
Lunatic (/luːˈnætɪk/) is a term that originates from the Latin word lunaticus, which traditionally referred to epilepsy and madness, as diseases caused by the moon.
Etymology
The term lunatic derives from the Latin lunaticus which originally referred mainly to epilepsy and madness, as diseases thought to be caused by the moon. The term was used in the Roman law where it described a person who was mentally ill and who could not be held responsible for his or her actions.
Usage
In modern usage, lunatic is often used as a pejorative term to describe someone who is perceived as mentally ill, dangerous, foolish, unpredictable, or crazy. The term is also used in a more casual context to describe something that is wildly or recklessly foolish.
Related Terms
- Insanity: A legal term denoting that a defendant in a legal case is not responsible for their actions due to mental health problems.
- Madness: The state of being mentally ill, especially severely.
- Epilepsy: A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Moon: The natural satellite of the earth, visible (chiefly at night) by reflected light from the sun.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lunatic
- Wikipedia's article - Lunatic
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