mentality English · revision 39785

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1691, R. Baxter, Reply to Mr. Beverley's Answer}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /mɛnˈtæləti/, /mənˈtæləti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed in English from [[mental]] and the noun suffix [[-ity]].^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(ODE 2010)^(Dictionary.com 2016) In the sense "way of thinking" the OED compares [[m|fr|mentalité]], which had it earlier.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ That which is of the nature of mind; mental action or process: 1691, in Richard Baxter's ''Reply to Mister Beverley's Answer'',^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) a sense the OED now calls rare.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 19th century the word took on the sense of mental ability or intellectual capacity: the OED's first quotation is from Emerson's ''English Traits'' (1856).^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(ODE 2010) The main modern sense, the characteristic attitude of mind or way of thinking of a person or group, is recorded from 1895,^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) and is often used with a modifying word,^(OED 2026) as in ''siege mentality'', ''herd mentality'' or ''victim mentality''.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1691 – mental action or process.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1856 – mental ability, intellectuality.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1895 – a characteristic way of thinking.^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A characteristic [[attitude]] of mind or way of [[thinking]] of a person or group: ''The team developed a siege mentality after weeks of criticism.''^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Mental [[ability]] or capacity; [[intelligence]].^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[siege mentality]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mental]]

+ * [[mind]]

+ * [[mentalism]]

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}