noun a person who is mentally ill, especially one who behaves violently; a deranged person
In literature, 'lunatic' is often used to describe a character who is irrational, unpredictable, or eccentric.
In historical contexts, 'lunatic' was used to describe individuals believed to be affected by the phases of the moon, leading to the term 'lunatic' being derived from 'luna', meaning moon.
In legal contexts, 'lunatic' may refer to a person who is deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial or make legal decisions.
In psychiatry, the term 'lunatic' was historically used to describe a person who is mentally ill, especially someone who exhibits extreme or erratic behavior.
In colloquial language, 'lunatic' is sometimes used informally to describe someone who is acting crazy or irrational.
In literature, the term 'lunatic' may be used to describe a character who is mentally unstable or erratic in behavior.
Psychologists may use the term 'lunatic' informally to describe someone who is mentally ill or exhibiting irrational behavior, but it is not a clinically recognized term.