Idiocy, as a term, has evolved over centuries from its Greek roots to become a general insult for actions or decisions perceived as lacking intelligence. It has been linked to various psychological and medical conditions in historical contexts, though today it is more commonly used informally to describe actions, decisions, or ideas that seem illogical or thoughtless. Understanding the term within historical and cultural contexts can shed light on the ways language reflects societal views on intelligence and reason.
No exact match translations found for 'Idiocy' in santali.
Word 'Idiocy' in Other Languages
- Idiocy in Assamese অসমীয়া
- Idiocy in Bengali বাংলা
- Idiocy in Bodo बड़ो
- Idiocy in Dogri डोगरी
- Idiocy in English
- Idiocy in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- Idiocy in Hindi हिन्दी
- Idiocy in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- Idiocy in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- Idiocy in Konkani कोंकणी
- Idiocy in Maithili মৈথিলী
- Idiocy in Malayalam മലയാളം
- Idiocy in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- Idiocy in Marathi मराठी
- Idiocy in Nepali नेपाली
- Idiocy in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- Idiocy in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Idiocy in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- Idiocy in Santali
- Idiocy in Sindhi سنڌي
- Idiocy in Tamil தமிழ்
- Idiocy in Telugu తెలుగు
- Idiocy in Urdu اُردُو
Idiocy
Part of Speech
Noun (plural: idiocies)
Pronunciation
/ˈɪdiəsi/
Definitions
- A state of extreme stupidity or foolishness.
- A behavior or action that is foolish, senseless, or lacking in reason.
- A condition or belief characterized by poor judgment or lack of mental ability.
Usage Examples
- His decision to drive without a license was an act of pure idiocy.
- The idiocy of the idea became evident as the project failed miserably.
Etymology
The word "idiocy" comes from the Greek "idiotēs," meaning "private citizen" or "layperson," which evolved into a sense of someone not involved in public affairs, later referring to lack of knowledge or ability, hence the modern meaning of extreme foolishness or mental deficiency.
Synonyms
- Foolishness
- Stupidity
- Imbecility
- Absurdity
Antonyms
- Wisdom
- Intelligence
- Reason
- Rationality
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Idiotez | /idioteθ/ |
| French | Idiotie | /idiɔti/ |
| German | Idiotie | /ɪdiˈoːtiː/ |
| Italian | Idiozia | /idjoˈtsia/ |
| Russian | Идиотизм | /ɪdʲɪɐˈtʲizm/ |
| Chinese | 愚蠢 | /yúchǔn/ |
| Hindi | मूर्खता | /mūrkhatā/ |
| Bengali | মূর্খতা | /mūrkhotā/ |
| Tamil | மூர்க்கத்துவம் | /mūrkattuvam/ |
| Telugu | మూర్ఖత్వం | /mūrkhatvaṁ/ |
| Kannada | ಮೂರ್ಖತನ | /mūrkhatana/ |
| Malayalam | മൂര്ക്കത | /mūrkkata/ |
| Arabic | غباء | /ghabāʼ/ |
| Portuguese | Idiotice | /idiˈɔtʃi/ |
| Japanese | 馬鹿げたこと | /bakageta koto/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- UK: /ˈɪdiəsi/
- US: /ˈɪdiəsi/
- Australia: /ˈɪdiəsi/
Historical Usage
The term "idiocy" has been in use since the early 19th century, originating from the Greek concept of "idiotēs" and evolving in its modern sense to describe a state of extreme foolishness or lack of judgment. It has been used in literature and psychology to describe mental deficiencies, but in modern usage, it often refers to actions or ideas that are considered foolish or nonsensical.
Cultural Nuances
While "idiocy" is generally used in a derogatory sense to describe a lack of intelligence or poor judgment, it has also been used metaphorically in literature and satire to critique societal norms, ideologies, or behaviors that are deemed irrational. In some cultures, the term has become somewhat softened or used humorously, though it retains its negative connotation in most contexts.