Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
The desire of slaves to run away, viewed as a mental illness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An overwhelming urge to run away (from home, a bad situation, responsibility, etc.).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Coined in 1851 by Samuel A. Cartwright as a name for a supposed mental illness that caused black slaves to flee captivity. Ancient Greek δραπέτης (drapétēs, “runaway slave”) + μανία (manía, “madness”).
Across languages
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
