senility etymology

Etymology

• Senility derives from the Latin word senilis, meaning "of or pertaining to old age". Senilis, in turn, stems from the Latin word senex, meaning "old man". The suffix -ity denotes a quality or state, hence "senility" signifies the quality or state of being old.

Meaning

• Senility refers to the decline in mental abilities that often occurs in old age. It can include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and making decisions. Senility may also involve changes in mood or behaviour, such as irritability or apathy.

Origin

• The concept of senility has been recognized for centuries. In ancient Greece, the philosopher Aristotle described senility as a natural part of the aging process. He believed that the aging brain became "colder and drier," leading to a decline in mental function.
• In the Middle Ages, senility was often associated with witchcraft or demonic possession. Some people believed that senile old people were possessed by evil spirits and could cause harm to others.
• In the 19th century, scientists began to study senility in more detail. They discovered that the decline in mental function was often associated with changes in the brain, such as the loss of brain cells and the accumulation of amyloid plaques.
• Today, senility is recognized as a medical condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, age, and disease. It is important to remember that senility is a natural part of the aging process and that it does not always lead to a decline in mental function.

senility relate terms

• senile

  Etymology The word senile derives from the Latin word senilis meaning of an old pe

• monseigneur

  Etymology French monseigneur Old French monseigneur Latin meus senior Meanin

• seignior

  Etymology French seigneurie Late Latin senioria from senior older superior Mean

• senate

  Etymology The word senate originates from the Latin word senatus which means counc

• senescent

  Etymology The word senescent is derived from the Latin word senescere which means

• seneschal

  Etymology Middle English seneschal from Anglo Norman French seneschal from Old Frenc

• senicide

  Etymology The word senicide is derived from Latin senex genitive senis meanin

• senile

  Etymology The word senile derives from the Latin word senilis meaning of an old pe

• senility

  Etymology Senility derives from the Latin word senilis meaning of or pertaining to old

• senior

  Etymology The word senior comes from the Old French word seinher meaning lord or

• seniority

  Etymology Seniority comes from the Latin word senior which means older Meaning Seni

• senor

  Etymology The term señor derives from the Latin word senior meaning elder or se

• senora

  Etymology Spanish señor master Latin senior older elder Meaning Señora is

• senorita

  Etymology Spanish señorita Meaning A polite form of address for a young unmarrie

• shanachie

  Etymology The word shanachie is derived from the Old Irish word seanchaidhe which i

• Shannon

  Etymology and Meaning Shannon An Irish name meaning old river or wise river Orig

• signor

  Etymology The word signor is derived from the Italian word signore which in turn com

• sire

  Etymology The word sire comes from the Old English word sire which is derived from

• surly

  Etymology Middle English surly from Old English sūr sour bitter Meaning Ba

• second

  Etymology The word second comes from two separate etymologies First etymology From t

• substitution

  Etymology The word substitution comes from the Latin word substitutus which means p

• school

  Etymology The word school originates from the Greek term skholē which originally m

• diet

  Etymology The word diet comes from the Greek word diaita which means way of life o

• conflict

  Etymology The word conflict derives from the Latin word conflictus which means a st

• abroad

  Etymology The word abroad comes from the Middle English word a brod which itself der

• bluff

  Etymology The word bluff has several possible origins French bluffer to deceive