Lunatics

- 4 dictionary results

lu⋅na⋅tic

[loo-nuh-tik]

–noun

1.	an insane person.

2.	a person whose actions and manner are marked by extreme eccentricity or recklessness.

3.	Law. a person legally declared to be of unsound mind and who therefore is not held capable or responsible before the law.

–adjective

4.	insane; demented; crazy.

5.	characteristic or suggestive of lunacy; wildly or recklessly foolish.

6.	designated for or used by the insane: a lunatic asylum.

7.	gaily or lightheartedly mad, frivolous, eccentric, etc.: She has a lunatic charm that is quite engaging.

Also, lu⋅nat⋅i⋅cal [loo-nat-i-kuh

(for defs. 4, 5, 7).

Origin:
1250–1300; ME lunatik < OF lunatique < LL lūnāticus moonstruck. See Luna, -atic

Related forms:

lu⋅nat⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To Lunatics

Word Origin & History

lunatic (adj.)

c.1290, "affected with periodic insanity, dependent on the changes of the moon," from O.Fr. lunatique "insane," from L. lunaticus "moon-struck," from luna "moon." Cf. O.E. monseoc "lunatic," lit. "moon-sick;" M.H.G. lune "humor, temper, mood, whim, fancy" (Ger. Laune), from L. luna. Cf. also N.T. Gk. seleniazomai "be epileptic," from selene "moon." The noun meaning "lunatic person" is first recorded 1377. Lunatic fringe (1913) was apparently coined by U.S. politician Theodore Roosevelt. Lunatic soup (1933) was Australian slang for "alcoholic drink."

Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: lu·na·tic
Pronunciation: 'lü-n&-tik
Function: noun
: an insane person —used esp. formerly —lunatic adjective

Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ²lunatic
Function: noun
: an insane individual

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