rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: mens
Latin

mens

mind

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A compact two-panel comparison shows the same woman changing from independently completing simple clock-copying and picture-memory tasks to struggling markedly with them during a supported assessment.
noun

dementia

dih-MEN-shuh/dɪˈmenʃə/

Decline in memory and thinking caused by brain disease that interferes with daily life.

Etymology
deLatinaway from
+mentLatinmind
+iaLatinmakes a noun for a state, quality, or associated thing

The image of being 'away from one's mind' underlies an older, broad term for mental incapacity. The selected medical sense is more specific: serious decline in memory and thinking ability.

Full entry

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