Non compos mentis

Non compos mentis

Non compos mentis is a term meaning 'not of sound mind'. Non compos mentis derives from the Latin non meaning "not", compos meaning "having (command of)", and mentis (genitive singular of mens), meaning "mind". It is the direct opposite of Compos mentis (of a composed mind).

Usage

Although typically used in law, this term can also be used metaphorically or figuratively; e.g. when one is in a confused state, intoxicated, or not of sound mind.

Also applicable in health care, when a determination of competency needs to be made by a physician for purposes of obtaining informed consent for treatments and, if necessary, assigning a surrogate to make health care decisions. While the proper sphere for this determination is in a court of law, this is practically, and most frequently, made by physicians in the clinical setting.[1]

In English law, the rule of non compos mentis was most commonly used when the defendant invoked religious or magical explanations for behaviour.


References

  1. ^ Assessment of Patients' Competence to Consent to Treatment



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  • non compos mentis — non com·pos men·tis / nän käm pəs men təs/ adj [Latin, literally, not having mastery of one s mind]: not of sound mind: lacking mental ability to understand the nature, consequences, and effect of a situation or transaction Merriam Webster’s… …   Law dictionary

  • Non compos mentis — Non compos Non com pos Non compos mentis Non com pos men tis [L.] Not of sound mind; not having the regular use of reason; hence, also, as a noun, an idiot; a lunatic; one devoid of reason, either by nature or from accident. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • non compos mentis — [nän käm΄pōs men′tis] n. [L] Law not of sound mind; mentally incapable of handling one s own affairs: often non compos …   English World dictionary

  • non compos mentis —    (non com pohs MEN tiss) [Latin] Not of sound mind; mentally unstable; incapable of normal mental function.    At least one elderly relative is non compos mentis and unable to care for himself …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • non compos mentis — Término legal aplicado a una persona declarada mentalmente incompetente. Diccionario Mosby Medicina, Enfermería y Ciencias de la Salud, Ediciones Hancourt, S.A. 1999 …   Diccionario médico

  • non compos mentis — Latin, lit. not master of one s mind …   Etymology dictionary

  • non compos mentis — *insane, mad, crazy, crazed, demented, deranged, lunatic, maniac …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • non compos mentis — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ not in one s right mind. ORIGIN Latin, not having control of one s mind …   English terms dictionary

  • non compos mentis — Synonyms and related words: abnormal, bereft of reason, brainsick, crackbrained, cracked, crazed, crazy, daft, deluded, demented, deprived of reason, deranged, disoriented, distraught, flighty, hallucinated, insane, irrational, loco, lunatic, mad …   Moby Thesaurus

  • non compos mentis — adj. (also non compos) not in one s right mind. Etymology: L, = not having control of one s mind …   Useful english dictionary

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