[men.tal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL mentalis, fr. L ment-, mens mind--more at mind] (15c) 1 a: of or relating to the mind; specif: of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality "~ 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 "~ 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 ~ patient" "~ illness" (2): mentally disordered: mad, crazy b: intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders "~ hospitals"
3: of or relating to telepathic or mind-reading powers -- men.tal.ly adv
[2]mental adj [L mentum chin--more at mouth] (ca. 1727): of or relating to the chin: genial