non compos

[ non kom-puhs ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. non compos mentis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of non compos¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Afterward, a few in the punditry world declared him a genius, some declared him competent while more than half declared him non compos mentis and said he should be sipping his dinner through a straw while a nurse makes sure he shuffles back to bed.

From Salon

“Perhaps I was non compos mentis.”

From Slate

Discussing the song, he quickly notes that “nincompoop” is derived from the Latin phrase “non compos mentis” meaning “not of sound mind.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Linke in one Berlin district have suggested that adverts that present women as beautiful but also as "weak, hysterical, stupid, non compos mentis or naive" or as objects of lust should be regarded as sexist, the Tagesspiegel reported.

From Reuters

In some states, the right to vote is removed for anyone determined to be non compos mentis, or not of sound of mind, by a court, even if the incident does not involve a specific assessment of voting competency.

From Slate