noun
lunatic
A dated, offensive term for a person considered mentally unstable.
The old medical record describes the patient as a lunatic.
Etymology
The Latin adjective reflects an old belief that the moon could cause mental disturbance. That mistaken association produced a person-name now regarded as dated and offensive.
More examples
- The museum explains why doctors no longer call patients lunatics.
- She objects to the offensive label “lunatic.”
- The historian examines an old law concerning people classified as lunatics.
Forms
lunatic · lunatics
lunacy noun — A dated, offensive term for mental instability.
Similar words
- madman
- Also dated and offensive; specifically identifies the person as male.
- madwoman
- Also dated and offensive; specifically identifies the person as female.