insanity

noun

in·san·i·ty in-ˈsa-nə-tē How to pronounce insanity (audio)

plural insanities

dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder

law : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility

: extreme folly or unreasonableness

the insanity of violence

His comments were pure insanity.

: something utterly foolish or unreasonable

the insanities of modern life

Did you know?

On the Meaning of Insanity

An oft-quoted bon mot (frequently attributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, or a number of other people who probably never said it) is that insanity may be defined as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” While the job of lexicographers might be easier if they were allowed to use witty sayings instead of precise definitions, such belletristic labors are not within their purview. The straight facts about insanity are these: it has been in use in English since the late 16th century, for the first two hundred years or so carrying only the literal meaning “the condition of being mentally deranged.” In the 19th century it began to take on a looser sense, “extreme folly or unreasonableness.” In modern usage, insanity may be found in both senses: you may tell your brother that trying to skateboard while holding onto a car is "insanity" (in which case you mean that it is extremely foolish) or encounter the stricter original meaning in such contexts as insanity plea.

Example Sentences

She was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His friends thought his decision to quit his job was pure insanity. Please, no more violence. It's time to stop this insanity. the insanities of modern life

Recent Examples on the Web Choate also houses Illinois’ only forensic unit for people with developmental disabilities found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity in criminal proceedings.

Beth Hundsdorfer, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 Austin, Texas — A man acquitted by reason of insanity of murder in the 2013 stabbing death of his father in Austin has escaped from a state hospital to which he was committed, authorities said Monday.

CBS News, 28 June 2022 White has recanted his confession and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Ridgeway's slaying, officials said.

Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 8 May 2022 But that incident pales in comparison to the insanity in Georgetown.

BostonGlobe.com, 24 Sep. 2021 Patton houses more than 1,500 patients including those incompetent to stand trial, those with mental disorders, and those found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 The Raid: Redemption spawned a sequel, which featured the same level of insanity on a bigger budget.

Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Two cases were dismissed; one was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and another had his conviction overturned on appeal.

Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 As a further indictment, the series included Kravchenko’s drawings of demonic creatures and women wielding swords and guns, a visual portfolio of insanity.

New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 See More

Medical Definition

insanity

noun

in·san·i·ty in-ˈsan-ət-ē How to pronounce insanity (audio)

plural insanities

dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder

Legal Definition

insanity

noun

in·san·i·ty

: unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility: as

: a disease, defect, or condition of the mind that renders one unable to understand the nature of a criminal act or the fact that it is wrong or to conform one's conduct to the requirements of the law being violated

: inability to understand and participate in legal proceedings brought against one : incompetence

: inability to understand the nature and purpose of a punishment (as the death penalty) to which one has been sentenced

: inability to understand the nature and consequences of one's acts (as making a will) or of events, matters, or proceedings in which one is involved see also commitment, durham rule, irresistible impulse test, m'naghten test, not guilty by reason of insanity, substantial capacity test compare capacity, competency, competent, diminished capacity, sanity

: the affirmative defense of having acted while insane

单词	insanities
释义	insanity noun in·san·i·ty in-ˈsa-nə-tē plural insanities 1 dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder 2 law : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility 3 a : extreme folly or unreasonableness the insanity of violence His comments were pure insanity. b : something utterly foolish or unreasonable the insanities of modern life Did you know? On the Meaning of Insanity An oft-quoted bon mot (frequently attributed to Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, or a number of other people who probably never said it) is that insanity may be defined as “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” While the job of lexicographers might be easier if they were allowed to use witty sayings instead of precise definitions, such belletristic labors are not within their purview. The straight facts about insanity are these: it has been in use in English since the late 16th century, for the first two hundred years or so carrying only the literal meaning “the condition of being mentally deranged.” In the 19th century it began to take on a looser sense, “extreme folly or unreasonableness.” In modern usage, insanity may be found in both senses: you may tell your brother that trying to skateboard while holding onto a car is "insanity" (in which case you mean that it is extremely foolish) or encounter the stricter original meaning in such contexts as insanity plea. Synonyms aberration dementia derangement lunacy madness mania rage [archaic] See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences She was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His friends thought his decision to quit his job was pure insanity. Please, no more violence. It's time to stop this insanity. the insanities of modern life Recent Examples on the Web Choate also houses Illinois’ only forensic unit for people with developmental disabilities found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity in criminal proceedings. Beth Hundsdorfer, ProPublica, 7 Sep. 2022 Austin, Texas — A man acquitted by reason of insanity of murder in the 2013 stabbing death of his father in Austin has escaped from a state hospital to which he was committed, authorities said Monday. CBS News, 28 June 2022 White has recanted his confession and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in Ridgeway's slaying, officials said. Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 8 May 2022 But that incident pales in comparison to the insanity in Georgetown. BostonGlobe.com, 24 Sep. 2021 Patton houses more than 1,500 patients including those incompetent to stand trial, those with mental disorders, and those found not guilty by reason of insanity. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 The Raid: Redemption spawned a sequel, which featured the same level of insanity on a bigger budget. Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2022 Two cases were dismissed; one was found not guilty by reason of insanity, and another had his conviction overturned on appeal. Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 As a further indictment, the series included Kravchenko’s drawings of demonic creatures and women wielding swords and guns, a visual portfolio of insanity. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 See More Word History First Known Use 1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing insanity insanity plea insanity plea Kids Definition insanity noun in·san·i·ty in-ˈsa-nə-tē : the condition of being abnormal or unhealthy in mind Medical Definition insanity noun in·san·i·ty in-ˈsan-ət-ē plural insanities 1 dated : a severely disordered state of the mind usually occurring as a specific disorder 2 law : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility Legal Definition insanity noun in·san·i·ty 1 : unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility: as a : a disease, defect, or condition of the mind that renders one unable to understand the nature of a criminal act or the fact that it is wrong or to conform one's conduct to the requirements of the law being violated b : inability to understand and participate in legal proceedings brought against one : incompetence c : inability to understand the nature and purpose of a punishment (as the death penalty) to which one has been sentenced d : inability to understand the nature and consequences of one's acts (as making a will) or of events, matters, or proceedings in which one is involved see also commitment, durham rule, irresistible impulse test, m'naghten test, not guilty by reason of insanity, substantial capacity test compare capacity, competency, competent, diminished capacity, sanity 2 : the affirmative defense of having acted while insane insanities noun plural of insanity as in absurdities a foolish act or idea everyone laughed at the latest insanity from the town eccentric Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance absurdities stupidities lunacies idiocies inanities imbecilities follies blunders fooleries fatuities nonsense buffooneries fopperies bêtises shenanigans asininities tomfooleries monkeyshines drivel flubs twaddles goofs howlers bungles humbug Antonyms & Near Antonyms wisdoms discretions inspirations sagacities prudences brainstorms forethoughts See More
随便看	antichance antichlamydial antichlor antichlors antichoice antichoicer antichoicers anticholesterol anticholinergic anticholinergics anticholinesterase anticholinesterases Antichrist antichrists antichronism antichthon antichthones anticipant anticipants anticipatable anticipate anticipated anticipates anticipating anticipation

insanity

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing insanity

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

noun