amens

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈaː.mẽːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈaː.mens]^[1]

Forms

āmēns (genitive āmentis, comparative āmentior, superlative āmentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from ā- “away from”, a form of ab-, and mēns “mind”.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC.^[3] The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant out of one's mind, insane, and greatly excited, frantic, as in Cicero.^[2] Döderlein explains that āmentia shows itself passively, the āmēns being without reason, while dēmentia shows itself actively and wildly.^[4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant insane.^[5] British Medieval Latin used it for demented, scared out of one's wits, madly excited.^[6] It survives in Italian and Spanish amente.^[1]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the insane and frantic.^[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Out of one's mind, insane.^[2]
2. Frantic, distracted.^[2]

Word family

• āmentia

Related words

• dēmēns
• mēns

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from dēmēns.^[4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press