Etymologically
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demens

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈdeː.mẽːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈdɛː.mens][1]

Forms

dēmēns (genitive dēmentis, comparative dēmentior, superlative dēmentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from dē- “away from” and mēns “mind”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Naevius, whom he dates c. 235–200 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant out of one's mind, mad, frenzied, insane, and of behaviour, as in Cicero, mad.[2] Döderlein explains that āmentia shows itself passively, while dēmentia shows itself actively and wildly.[4]

British Medieval Latin used it of mad people and mad actions.[5] It survives in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese demente and French dément, and through French it is behind English dement “to drive mad”, of the 1540s, and its participle English demented.[1][6]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.[3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of mad behaviour.[2][3]
  • 1640s – English demented is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Out of one's mind, mad, insane.[2]
  2. Of behaviour, mad.[2]

Word family

  • dēmentia

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from āmēns.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ 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
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com