demented
|di-men-ted|
/dɪˈmɛn.tɪd/
(dement)
out of one's mind
Etymology
'demented' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'dementare' (related to 'demens'), where 'de-' meant 'away/from' and 'mens' meant 'mind'.
'demented' changed from Old French 'dementé' / Medieval Latin 'dementare' and passed into English (via Middle French/Medieval Latin) as 'demented'.
Initially, it meant 'made out of one's mind' or 'deprived of mind', and over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'mentally ill, insane' and (figuratively) 'extremely foolish or irrational'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'dement' (to drive someone insane or deprive of reason).
Prolonged isolation demented some of the prisoners.
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Adjective 1
mentally ill; insane.
After weeks without sleep he began to seem demented.
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Adjective 2
(informal/figurative) Extremely foolish, unreasonable, or wild.
They came up with a demented plan that nobody thought would work.
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Last updated: 2025/11/22 13:31