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Lunatic: meaning, definitions and examples

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lunatic

 

[ ˈluːnətɪk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mental state

A 'lunatic' traditionally refers to a person who is considered to be insane or mentally ill. The term has historical roots, suggesting that this instability was somehow linked to phases of the moon. While it was once used in legal contexts and medical diagnoses, today, the term is often viewed as outdated and potentially offensive. In contemporary usage, it may describe someone acting irrationally or bizarrely, without serious implications regarding mental health.

Synonyms

crazy person, fool, insane person, madman, maniac

Examples of usage

  • He was acting like a lunatic at the party.
  • She dismissed his lunatic ideas.
  • They thought he was a lunatic for believing in conspiracy theories.

Translations

Translations of the word "lunatic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lunático

🇮🇳 पागल

🇩🇪 Lunatic

🇮🇩 gila

🇺🇦 божевільний

🇵🇱 szaleniec

🇯🇵 狂人

🇫🇷 lunatique

🇪🇸 lunático

🇹🇷 delilik

🇰🇷 미친 사람

🇸🇦 مجنون

🇨🇿 blázen

🇸🇰 blázon

🇨🇳 疯子

🇸🇮 lunatik

🇮🇸 geðveikur

🇰🇿 жындылар

🇬🇪 გიჟი

🇦🇿 dəlilik

🇲🇽 lunático

Etymology

The word 'lunatic' derives from the Latin 'lunaticus', which means 'moonstruck' or 'of the moon'. This reflects the ancient belief that the moon had a direct influence on human behavior, particularly in relation to mental health. The connection to the moon led to the assumption that certain phases could exacerbate mental illness. This term was adopted into English in the 13th century. By the 19th century, 'lunatic' gained legal connotations, being used in courts to denote individuals incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness. Its historical usage has since evolved, leading to a more nuanced understanding of mental health and the rejection of stigmatizing language.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,164, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.