dement

[ dih-ment ]

verb (used with object)

, Obsolete.

1. to make mad or insane.

dement

/ dɪˈmɛnt /

verb

1. intr to deteriorate mentally, esp because of old age
2. rare.
   tr to drive mad; make insane

Word History and Origins

Origin of dement¹

1535–45; < Late Latin dēmentāre to deprive of mind, equivalent to Latin dēment- (stem of dēmēns ) out of one's mind ( dē- de- + ment- (stem of mēns ) mind) + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dement¹

C16: from Late Latin dēmentāre to drive mad, from Latin de- + mēns mind

Example Sentences

Former colleague Laura Dement wrote on Facebook, "Heartbroken is the only word I can use to describe how I feel. I really don't have words to describe the depth of the feelings."

From BBC

“Workin’ on a World” is an album about DeMent’s ongoing quest to find her place, about passing the wisdom of the generation that came before her to the one that follows.

From New York Times

“It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that song saved my life,” DeMent said.

From New York Times

That idea is rooted deep in DeMent’s experience growing up in church, and it has inspired all of her albums to some extent, but especially the politically agitated “The Way I Should” and “Lifeline,” a collection of old hymns.

From New York Times

DeMent, 62, has been making herself useful for 30 years now.

From New York Times

Related Words

• agitate
• confuse
• disconcert
• disorganize
• disquiet
• disrupt
• disturb
• perturb
• rattle
• unnerve