psychopath
UK: ˈsaɪ.kə.pæθ | US: ˈsaɪ.koʊ.pæθ
n. a person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior
n. (informal) an extremely antisocial or cruel individual
The word "psychopath" combines Greek roots psyche (ψυχή, "mind/soul") and pathos (πάθος, "suffering/disease"). Originally used in 19th-century psychiatry, it described mental illness (psycho-) manifesting as emotional disturbance (-path). Over time, it narrowed to denote individuals with antisocial personality traits, reflecting the perceived "disease of the mind" logic. The term retains its Greek-derived structure intact in modern English.
The psychiatrist diagnosed the criminal as a psychopath.
His lack of empathy made others suspect he might be a psychopath.
The film villain was portrayed as a cunning psychopath.
Not all violent offenders are psychopaths, but many psychopaths exhibit violent tendencies.
She studied the neurological patterns common in psychopaths.