different between insanity vs demented

English

Etymology

A three-part word (root 'sane', prefix 'in-' meaning 'not', suffix '-ity', meaning 'the state of'). Derived from Latin precursory equivalents. Two possible candidates for construction order:

• insane +? -ity: ins?nus (“unhealthy; insane”) + -it?s

  Latin ins?nus (“unsound in mind; mad, insane”), from in- + sanus (“sound, sane”). Modern forms of roots: in- + sane

• in- +? sanity: in- (“lacking; without”) +? sanit?s (“health; sanity”)

  Latin sanit?s (“sound in mind; sane”), from s?nus + -it?s. Modern forms of roots: sane + -ity

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?n?sæn?ti/

Noun

insanity (countable and uncountable, plural insanities)

1. The state of being insane; madness.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:insanity

Antonyms

• sanity

Related terms

• insane

Translations

English

Etymology

Past participle of dement, from Latin d?ment?re.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??m?nt?d/

Adjective

demented (comparative more demented, superlative most demented)

1. Insane or mentally ill.
2. Suffering from dementia.
3. (informal) Crazy; ridiculous.
   • c. 1990, How to Play Super C (PDF) (instruction manual), Konami, page 4:

     One of these new recruits is Jagger Froid, a demented alien from the Black Hole Galaxy, who dishes out punishment with a laser-sharp tongue.

   a demented idea

Translations

Verb

demented

1. simple past tense and past participle of dement

See also

• mentally ill