Compos

/ˈkɑmpoʊs/ adjective

Definition

Short for 'compos mentis,' a legal and medical term meaning mentally sound or in control of one's mind.

Etymology

From Latin compos mentis, meaning 'master of one's mind' (compos 'master of' + mentis 'of mind'). Used in English law and medicine since at least the 17th century.

Kelly Says

Legal systems use 'compos mentis' to determine if someone is mentally fit to make decisions or stand trial—and it's literally two thousand years old, straight from Roman law, still determining who gets to control their own fate!

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