Demens
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Lat. [from de, priv. and mens, mind.] One who is deprived of his mental faculties, or who has lost his mind, (mente captus.) One who does not think of what he does or says; (qui non cogitat quid agit aut loquitur.) 4 Co. 128; Beverly's case. Distinguished by Lord Coke from amens, who is a person wholly insane (qui prorsus insanit). Id. ibid. Calvin also distinguishes demens from a madman or lunatic. Calv. Lex. Jurid.