adj. 1. Of or relating to the mind: mental powers; mental health. 2. Executed or performed by the mind; existing in the mind: mental calculation; a mental image. 3. a. Slang Emotionally upset; crazed: got mental when he saw the dent in his new car. b. Offensive Slang Having a mental illness or intellectual disability. c. Often Offensive Relating to or being a place for housing or treating people with mental illness or intellectual disability: a mental ward. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin mentālis, from Latin mēns, ment-, mind; see men-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] mental·ly adv. |
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