How Do You Spell VOLITIONAL INSANITY?

Pronunciation: [vəlˈɪʃənə͡l ɪnsˈanɪti] (IPA)

Volitional insanity is a legal term used to describe a defendant who knew what they were doing was wrong, but could not control their actions due to mental illness. The spelling of this word is "voh-lih-shuh-nuhl in-san-i-tee". The "vo" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, the "li" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, and the "sh" is pronounced like the "sh" in "shoe". The stress is on the second syllable, and the final "y" sound is spelled as "ee".

VOLITIONAL INSANITY Meaning and Definition

  1. Volitional insanity refers to a legal term used to describe a specific mental state or condition in which an individual, due to a voluntary act, intentionally becomes disconnected from reality or loses control over their behavior. It is generally associated with criminal law and legal defenses, often used in cases where an accused person claims insanity as a defense.

    This term encompasses a deliberate and conscious decision on the part of an individual to engage in actions or behaviors that bring about a state of mental imbalance. The concept suggests that the person is fully aware of their conduct, yet voluntarily chooses to lose touch with reality or behave in an irrational manner, which in turn renders them unable to comprehend the consequences or legality of their actions.

    Volitional insanity is distinguished from other forms of insanity, such as psychosis, which typically involve a mental illness or disorder that is beyond the individual's control. In contrast, this specific type of insanity implies that the person has voluntarily and consciously manipulated or altered their mental state.

    In legal proceedings, if the defense successfully establishes volitional insanity, it can affect the defendant's legal responsibility and potentially lead to a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. However, proving volitional insanity can be complex as it requires demonstrating that the defendant's actions were a result of a voluntary decision to become detached from reality or lose control over their behavior.

  2. • I. marked especially by perversion of the will power.
    • Mental derangement in which the will power especially is impaired.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for VOLITIONAL INSANITY

  • colitional insanity
  • bolitional insanity
  • golitional insanity
  • folitional insanity
  • vilitional insanity
  • vklitional insanity
  • vllitional insanity
  • vplitional insanity
  • v0litional insanity
  • v9litional insanity
  • vokitional insanity
  • vopitional insanity
  • vooitional insanity
  • volutional insanity
  • voljtional insanity
  • volktional insanity
  • volotional insanity
  • vol9tional insanity
  • vol8tional insanity
  • volirional insanity

Etymology of VOLITIONAL INSANITY

The term "volitional insanity" does not have a specific etymology as it is more of a descriptive phrase rather than a single word. However, breaking down the phrase can shed light on its origins.

"Volitional" comes from the Latin word "volitionem", which means "will" or "willingness". It is derived from the verb "velle", meaning "to will" or "to wish". In psychological terms, it refers to actions or decisions done willfully or consciously.

"Insanity" has Latin roots as well, originating from the Latin word "insanitas", which translates to "unsoundness" or "madness". It derives from the combination of "in-" meaning "not" and "sanus" meaning "sound" or "healthy".

When these words are combined to form "volitional insanity", it suggests a state of madness or mental disorder characterized by a conscious or willful component.

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