The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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lunatic

noun

/ˈlu nə tɪk/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of lunatic

An individual who is perceived as mentally unstable or deranged.
"The police were called to restrain the lunatic running naked through the streets."

Detailed meaning of lunatic

It is used to describe a person who exhibits irrational behavior or shows signs of madness or extreme eccentricity. The term originates from the belief, now discredited, that mental disturbances were somehow influenced by the phases of the moon. However, in contemporary usage, the term "lunatic" no longer carries any scientific or medical significance. Instead, it has become a colloquial and somewhat pejorative term to describe someone who behaves in an erratic, unpredictable, or irrational manner. While the word "lunatic" may be employed in informal contexts, it is important to approach its usage with caution and sensitivity, as it can perpetuate stigmatization of mental health issues and promote harmful stereotypes.

Example sentences containing lunatic

1. The police apprehended the lunatic who had been causing disturbances downtown.
2. It was a challenge to reason with the lunatic who believed in conspiracy theories.
3. The asylum was home to many patients, including a particularly disturbed lunatic.
4. People avoided the park after dark due to rumors of a lurking lunatic.
5. The novel's protagonist was a misunderstood genius, not a mere lunatic.
6. The town had its fair share of eccentrics, but one stood out as a true lunatic.

History and etymology of lunatic

The noun 'lunatic' has an intriguing etymology that can be traced back to ancient beliefs about the moon's influence on human behavior. It derives from the Latin word 'lunaticus,' which is a combination of 'luna,' meaning 'moon,' and the suffix '-ticus,' signifying 'pertaining to' or 'related to.' In ancient times, it was commonly believed that the phases of the moon could affect people's mental states, leading to periods of perceived madness or irrational behavior. Hence, a 'lunatic' originally referred to an individual who was thought to be mentally unstable or deranged, particularly during certain lunar phases. Although modern understanding of mental health has evolved beyond such superstitions, the term 'lunatic' retains its historical connection to the idea of madness associated with lunar influences.

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Further usage examples of lunatic

1. His wild and unpredictable behavior earned him a reputation as a lunatic.
2. The courtroom was filled with tension as the lunatic's trial began.
3. The journalist interviewed the self-proclaimed time-traveling lunatic.
4. Her family struggled to find appropriate care for the elderly lunatic.
5. The asylum staff worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the lunatic patients.
6. The town's history was marred by tales of a murderous lunatic on the loose.
7. The asylum was filled with patients, each believed to be a lunatic.
8. His erratic behavior made everyone around him think he was a lunatic.
9. The courtroom erupted in chaos when the lunatic defendant started screaming.
10. The man's wild eyes gave away his lunatic nature.
11. It was difficult to reason with the lunatic as he was disconnected from reality.
12. The nurse tried her best to calm down the lunatic patient in the psychiatric ward.
13. The horror movie depicted a lunatic killer on the loose.
14. People crossed the street to avoid the lunatic shouting at invisible foes.
15. The villagers locked their doors when they heard rumors of a lunatic roaming the area.
16. The artist's paintings reflected the turmoil of his lunatic mind.
17. Despite his reputation as a lunatic, he was a genius in his field.
18. The crowd gathered to watch the lunatic perform dangerous stunts.
19. The politician's outrageous statements made many label him as a lunatic.
20. The journalist wrote an article about the notorious lunatic who had escaped from a mental institution.