Insanity Meaning
/ɪnˈsænɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state of being insane; madness.
Sentence Examples
Genius is only one remove from insanity.
I don't suffer from insanity - I enjoy it!
The insanity of the situation made him laugh.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer argued that his client's actions were due to temporary ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer argued for a plea of ____, saying his client was not aware of what he was doing at the time.
Word Origin & History
A three-part word (root 'sane', prefix 'in-' meaning 'not', suffix '-ity', meaning 'the state of'). Derived from Latin precursory equivalents. Two possible candidates for construction order: * insane + -ity: īnsānus (“unhealthy; insane”) + -itās *: Latin īnsānus (“unsound in mind; mad, insane”), from in- + sānus (“sound, sane”). Modern forms of roots: in- + sane * in- + sanity: in- (“lacking; without”) + sānitās (“health; sanity”) *: Latin sānitās (“sound in mind; sane”), from sānus + -itās. Modern forms of roots: sane + -ity
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But the bed-side of Lady Marchmont had a darker lesson than the grave, the ravings of insanity revealed the fiery world of that beating and passionate heart. Ethel could only feel too fearful, too humbled, for judgment; but she wept, even while she prayed, beside her early friend."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Chamber of Death”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 271:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer argued that his client's actions were due to temporary ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer argued for a plea of ____, saying his client was not aware of what he was doing at the time.