mental
UK: ˈmɛnt(ə)l | US: ˈmɛnt(ə)l
adj. relating to the mind or intellectual processes
adj. (informal) irrational or emotionally unstable
adj. (archaic) relating to the chin (from Latin mentum)
ment<mind> + al<adjective suffix>
- ment: Derived from Latin mens (genitive mentis), meaning "mind" or "intellect."
- al: A suffix forming adjectives, from Latin -alis, indicating relation or pertaining to.
Etymology Origin:
The word mental traces back to Latin mentalis, from mens (mind). It entered Middle English via Old French mental, retaining its core meaning of "pertaining to the mind." Over time, it gained colloquial uses (e.g., "crazy") and an archaic anatomical sense (chin-related), though the latter is obsolete. The root mens also appears in dementia ("away from mind") and mention ("to bring to mind").
She sought therapy for her mental health struggles.
His argument was purely mental, lacking emotional bias.
(Informal) "You’re acting mental—calm down!"
(Archaic) The surgeon examined the mental protuberance of the jaw.
Meditation strengthens mental clarity and focus.