| 释义 |
‖ dementia|diːˈmɛnʃɪə|
[L. n. of state from dēmens, dēmentem: see dement a. First used to render the term démence of Pinel. Formerly Englished as demency.]
1. Med. A species of insanity characterized by failure or loss of the mental powers; usually consequent on other forms of insanity, mental shock, various diseases, etc.
1806D. Davis tr. Pinel's Treat. Insanity 252 To cause periodical and curable mania to degenerate into dementia or idiotism. 1840Tweedie Syst. Pract. Med. II. 107 A state..which French writers after Pinel have denominated démence. English writers have translated this term into dementia. 1851Hooper Vade Mecum (1858) 131 The sudden attacks of dementia produce a state of mind nearly allied to idiocy. 1874H. Maudsley Respons. in Ment. Dis. iii. 73 When his memory is impaired, his feelings quenched, his intelligence enfeebled or extinct, he is said to be suffering from dementia.
2. gen. Infatuation under the influence of which the judgement is as it were paralysed.
1877Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. ii. 130 Emissaries..succeeded in persuading them—such the dementia of the night—that Robespierre was a Royalist agent. |