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Lunacy

 - 5 dictionary results

lu⋅na⋅cy

  [loo-nuh-see]
Use Lunacy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies.
1. insanity; mental disorder.
2. intermittent insanity, formerly believed to be related to phases of the moon.
3. extreme foolishness or an instance of it: Her decision to resign was sheer lunacy.
4. Law. unsoundness of mind sufficient to incapacitate one for civil transactions.
Origin:
1535–45; lun(atic) + -acy

Synonyms:
1. derangement, dementia; craziness, madness, mania, aberration. 3. folly, stupidity.

Antonyms:
1, 2. rationality, sanity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lu·na·cy   (lōō'nə-sē)   
n.   pl. lu·na·cies

  1. Insanity, especially insanity relieved intermittently by periods of clear-mindedness. See Synonyms at insanity.

    1. Great or wild foolishness.

    2. A wildly foolish act.

  3. Archaic Intermittent mental derangement associated with the changing phases of the moon.


[From lunatic.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

lunacy 
1541, "condition of being a lunatic," formed in Eng. from lunatic (q.v.). Originally in ref. to intermittent periods of insanity, such as were believed to be triggered by the moon's cycle. The O.E. equivalent was monaðseocnes "month-sickness."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: lu·na·cy
Pronunciation: 'lü-n&-sE
Function: noun
: INSANITY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: lu·na·cy
Pronunciation: 'lü-n&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cies
: any of various formsof insanity: as a : intermittent insanity once believed to be related to phases of the moon b : insanity amounting to lack of capacity or of responsibility in the eyesof the law
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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