Nearby Words
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 Also, lu·nat·i·cal 
[loo-nat-i-kuhl] (for defs. 4, 5, 7).
[loo-nat-i-kuhl] (for defs. 4, 5, 7). 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.
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Lunatics
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English lunatik < Old French lunatique < Late Latin lūnāticus moonstruck. See Luna, -atic
1250–1300; Middle English lunatik < Old French lunatique < Late Latin lūnāticus moonstruck. See Luna, -atic
Related forms
lu·nat·i·cal·ly, adverb
half-lu·na·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To Lunatics
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
lunatic
late 13c., "affected with periodic insanity, dependent on the changes of the moon," from O.Fr. lunatique "insane," from L. lunaticus "moon-struck," from luna "moon" (see luna). Cf. O.E. monseoc "lunatic," lit. "moon-sick;" M.H.G. lune "humor, temper, mood, whim, fancy" (Ger.
EXPANDLaune), from L. luna. Cf. also N.T. Gk. seleniazomai "be epileptic," from selene "moon." The noun meaning "lunatic person" is first recorded late 14c. Lunatic fringe (1913) was apparently coined by U.S. politician Theodore Roosevelt. Lunatic soup (1933) was Australian slang for "alcoholic drink."
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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