ament

¹

[ am-uhnt, ey-muhnt ]

noun

, Botany.

1. catkin.

ament

²

[ ey-ment, ey-muhnt ]

noun

1. a person who has amentia.

ament

¹

/ ˈeɪmənt; ˈæmənt /

noun

1. another name for catkin Also calledamentuməˈmɛntəm

ament

²

/ ˈeɪmənt; æˈmɛnt /

noun

1. psychiatry a mentally deficient person

ament

/ ăm′ənt,ā′mənt /

1. See catkin

Derived Forms

• ˌamenˈtaceous, adjective
• ˌamenˈtiferous, adjective

Other Words From

• a·men·tal [ey-, men, -tl], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ament¹

1785–95; < New Latin, Latin āmentum strap, thong

Origin of ament²

1890–95; < Latin āment- (stem of āmēns out of one's mind, mad), equivalent to ā- a- ⁴ + ment-; mental ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ament¹

C18: from Latin āmentum strap, thong

Origin of ament²

C19: from Latin āment-, āmens without mind; see amentia

Example Sentences

But in dozens of interviews, current and former colleagues of Mr. Acosta, who is now dean of Florida International University’s law school, are deeply split in their ament of the nominee.

From New York Times

Diœcious trees or shrubs, with both kinds of flowers in aments, and simple alternate stipulate leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Preparation.—The fresh aments are macerated in twice their weight of alcohol.

From Project Gutenberg

Fund′ament, the lower part or seat of the body; Fundamental′ity.—adv.

From Project Gutenberg

"Balm of Gilead" was the name that inquiry brought for this tree, and the resinous and sweet-smelling buds which preceded the rather inconspicuous catkins or aments of bloom seemed to justify the Biblical designation.

From Project Gutenberg