1550s, from Latin insanus "mad, insane; outrageous, excessive, extravagant," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sanus "well, healthy, sane" (see sane). Originally only of persons; of actions, from 1842. Compare lunatic; and Italian pazzo "insane," originally a euphemism, from Latin patiens "suffering." German verrückt, literally past participle of verrücken "to displace," "applied to the brain as to a clock that is 'out of order' " [Buck]. The noun meaning "insane person" is attested from 1786.
实用例句
1. I couldn't decide whether he was incredibly brave or just insane.
我不能判定他到底是英勇无畏还是精神失常。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Some people simply can't take it and they just go insane.
一些人完全承受不了，结果就精神失常了。
来自柯林斯例句
3. My desire to be rich was an insane, unwholesome, oppressive desire.
