Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object) Obsolete.
- to make mad or insane.
verb
- (intr) to deteriorate mentally, esp because of old age
- (tr) rare to drive mad; make insane
1540s, “to drive mad,” probably from Middle French démenter, from Late Latin dementare “to drive out of one’s mind,” from phrase de mente (a less technical term than insanitas), from de + mente, ablative of mens mind” (see mind (n.)).
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Iris DeMent –