MENTAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does mental mean? 

• MENTAL (adjective)
  The adjective MENTAL has 5 senses:

1. involving the mind or an intellectual process

2. of or relating to the mind

3. of or relating to the chin- or liplike structure in insects and certain mollusks

4. of or relating to the chin or median part of the lower jaw

5. affected by a disorder of the mind

  Familiarity information: MENTAL used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MENTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Involving the mind or an intellectual process

Context example:

free from mental defects

Similar:

intellectual; noetic; rational (of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind)

moral (psychological rather than physical or tangible in effect)

psychic; psychical (affecting or influenced by the human mind)

psychogenic (mental or emotional rather than physiological in origin)

psychological (mental or emotional as opposed to physical in nature)

Antonym:

physical (involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit)

Derivation:

mentality (mental ability)

mentality (a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to the mind

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

mental hygiene

Pertainym:

mind (that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason)

Derivation:

mentality (mental ability)

mentality (a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of or relating to the chin- or liplike structure in insects and certain mollusks

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Pertainym:

mentum (a projection below the mouth of certain mollusks that resembles a chin)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Of or relating to the chin or median part of the lower jaw

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

genial; mental

Pertainym:

mentum (a projection below the mouth of certain mollusks that resembles a chin)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Affected by a disorder of the mind

Context example:

mental illness

Similar:

unhealthy (not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind)

 Context examples 

Mental suffering and trial supply, in some natures, the place of years, and I will be as plain with you as if I were a Lady Abbess.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The sixth house also rules health, but in this case, physical (not mental) health, so again that theme of wellness surfaces.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Half of mental health disorders arise before the age of 14, but most cases are not detected or treated until much later, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization.

(Half of mental health disorders arise in adolescence, SciDev.Net)

He had been closely analyzing Brissenden's mental equipment.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

His was a better, far better, nervous, mental, and muscular co-ordination.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

A University of Queensland study suggests eating eight or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day not only leads to better physical health but improves mental well-being.

(Fruit and veggies pave the road to happiness, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

There are many causes of mental disorders.

(Mental Disorders, NIH)

You are sick and weak, and have had much sorrow and much mental pain, as well as that tax on your strength that we know of.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

His nerve processed and mental processes were slower than hers.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

His brows drew in slightly with the mental effort of suitably phrasing thoughts which he had never before put into speech.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)