alienist
|al-i-en-ist|
C1
/ˈeɪliənɪst/
mental health specialist
Etymology
Etymology Information
'alienist' originates from French, specifically the word 'aliéniste,' where 'aliéné' meant 'insane' and '-iste' is a suffix denoting a specialist.
Historical Evolution
'aliéniste' transformed into the English word 'alienist' in the 19th century, maintaining its meaning related to mental health specialists.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a specialist in mental health,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a psychiatrist or psychologist, especially one who provides expert testimony in a legal case.
The court called upon an alienist to evaluate the defendant's mental state.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/21 18:51