adj.
Pronunciation: ' men-t ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin mentalis, from Latin ment-, mens mind ― more at MIND
Date: 15th century
1 a : of or relating to the mind specifically : of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality < mental health> b : of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity c : of, relating to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical activity d : occurring or experienced in the mind : INNER < mental anguish> e : relating to the mind, its activity, or its products as an object of study : IDEOLOGICAL f : relating to spirit or idea as opposed to matter
2 a (1) : of, relating to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder <a mental patient> (2) : mentally disordered : MAD , CRAZY b : intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders < mental hospitals>
3 : of or relating to telepathic or mind-reading powers
– men · tal · ly \ -t ə l- ē \ adverb