Definition of insane

The term "insane" has its roots in the medieval and Renaissance periods when people with mental illnesses were often placed in institutions called "madhouses." These institutions were commonly run by religious orders, and the inhabitants were referred to as "the insane," implying that their behavior was a result of a lack of sanity or reason. The word "insane" has Latin origins, and its initial usage in English is traced back to the late 16th century. It derives from the Latin "insanus," which means "without reason" or "mad." In contemporary times, the term suggests a level of severity and danger that goes beyond mere eccentricity or psychological distress. In legal terms, the word has since been replaced by more medically and scientifically informative terms such as "mentally ill" or "person with a mental disorder." The term "insane" is still informally used in everyday language, but its use in a medical or legal context is considered outdated and inaccurate, leading many professionals to advise the usage of more specific and appropriate terms for such conditions.