mentallyadv.
/ˈmɛntl̩i/, U.S. /ˈmɛn(t)l̩i/ 1. In the mind, by a mental operation (often with reference to unspoken thoughts, judgements, etc.).
ΚΠ
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 30 (MED) He dooþ synne boþe actuely in deede and wilfully, or myntaly, in þe soule. Synne is do mentaly and inwardely in þe soule whanne a man conceyueþ a plesaunce in soule of synne and an hate of vertu.
?1623 O. Felltham Resolues lxxxii. 265 We seldome finde the ignorant man honest; if hee bee mentally, yet hee failes expressiuely.
1661 R. Boyle Hist. Fluidity & Firmnesse ii, in Certain Physiol. Ess. 182 There is no assignable portion of matter so minute that it may not at least, Mentally (to borrow a School term) be further divided.
1738 D. Waterland Christian Sacrifice Explained App. 59 In Baptism..we represent and commemorate mentally, vocally, and manually, (in Mind, and by Mouth, and by significant Actions) the Death and Burial of Christ our Lord.
1795 A. B. Cristall Poet. Sketches 69 Let me catch a glimpse by fancy's ray, And mentally behold the virgin fair, Who was from our embraces snatch'd away.
1848 E. F. Rimbault First Bk. Pianoforte 31 When a passage is acquired..it should then be counted mentally, that is, silently.
1916 E. H. Porter Just David v. 58 David was left at the Holly farmhouse, though Simeon Holly mentally declared that he should lose no time in looking about for some one to take the boy away.
1986 D. Madden Hidden Symptoms (1988) 31 Mentally, she recited a fragment of poetry.
2. As regards the mind (now esp. with reference to illness or disability).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > [adverb]
mentally1688
psychicallya1832
1688 R. Boyle Disquis. Final Causes iv. 129 If they be so [sc. useful to us] in any Measure (as for example Mentally) they are So, for what we know, as much as He design'd they should be.
1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. iii. 178 Camilla, mentally giddy, but personally courageous, was sufficiently mistress of herself to obey the last injunction.
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. ii. ii. 133 Such, mentally, morally, and physically, was the Reverend Charles Merton.
1885 Law Times 78 296/1 He is not mentally competent to form and express a wish for an inquiry before a jury.
1894 Psychol. Rev. 1 425 It is..the mission of the mentally defective to give us..object lessons in psychology.
1934 H. S. Sullivan in H. S. Perry Fusion of Psychiatry & Social Sci. (1964) 9 Disorder of the emotional life of the mentally deranged is too striking to be ignored.
1964 J. Tizard (title) Community services for the mentally handicapped.
1999 E. Afr. Standard (Nairobi) 28 July 32/2 (caption) Some of the 60 mentally retarded students from various schools in Nairobi wave their hands in joy.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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