non compos mentis

adjective

non com·​pos men·​tis ˌnän-ˌkäm-pəs-ˈmen-təs How to pronounce non compos mentis (audio)
ˌnōn-
: not of sound mind

Examples of non compos mentis in a Sentence

will seek to prove that the elderly tycoon was non compos mentis when he dictated that will

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, not having mastery of one's mind

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of non compos mentis was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near non compos mentis

Cite this Entry

“Non compos mentis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non%20compos%20mentis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

non compos mentis

adjective
non com·​pos men·​tis ˌnän-ˌkäm-pə-ˈsment-əs, ˌnōn- How to pronounce non compos mentis (audio)
: not of sound mind

Legal Definition

non compos mentis

adjective
non com·​pos men·​tis ˈnän-ˈkäm-pəs-ˈmen-təs How to pronounce non compos mentis (audio)
: not of sound mind : lacking mental ability to understand the nature, consequences, and effect of a situation or transaction
Etymology

Latin, literally, not having mastery of one's mind

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