Lunatic
Once a legal term, the word lunatic derives from the Latin lunaticus, meaning moonstruck.
Veris Word Bites
Cholera
The word ‘cholera’ first appeared in Hippocrates’ writings. The Greek term cholera originally meant gutter, perhaps representing the forceful expulsion of bodily fluids caused by the disease.
Disease
The word ‘disease' first entered the English language in the 14th century from the Old French word desaise, literally meaning dis-ease or discomfort.
Drapetomania
Drapetomania was a 'mental illness' identified in the 19th century in African slaves who made repeated attempts to flee.
Hysteria
The term hysteria derives from the ancient Greek hustera, meaning ‘womb’. It was used to denote a state of excessive emotions.