First Known Use: 1806
Dictionary
dementia
dementia
noun de·men·tia \di-ˈmen(t)-shə, -shē-ə\
medical : a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real
Full Definition of DEMENTIA
1
: a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by deteriorated cognitive functioning often with emotional apathy
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Examples of DEMENTIA
- This patient suffers from dementia.
- a new study on age-related dementias
Origin of DEMENTIA
Latin, from dement-, demens mad, from de- + ment-, mens mind — more at mind
Related to DEMENTIA
- Synonyms
- aberration, insanity, derangement, lunacy, madness, mania, rage [archaic]
Other Psychology Terms
dementia
noun de·men·tia \di-ˈmen-chə\ (Medical Dictionary)
Medical Definition of DEMENTIA
: a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (as memory impairment, aphasia, and inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
—de·men·tial \-chəl\ adjective
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