Delusion

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

In medical jurisprudence. A diseased state of the mind, in which persons believe things to exist which exist only, or in the degree they are conceived of only, in their own imaginations, with a persuasion so fixed and firm that neither evidence nor argument can convince them to the contrary.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A belief that something exists which does not exist and which no rational person in the absence of evidence would believe to exist. See 195 Pa. St. 291, 78 Am. St. Rep. 815, 45 Atl. 726.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In medical jurisprudence. An insane delusion is an unreasoning and incorrigible belief in the existence of facte which are either impossible absolutely, or, at least, impossible under the circumstances of the individual. It is never the result of reasoning and reflection; it is not generated by them, and it cannot be dispelled by them; and hence it is not to be confounded with an opinion, however fantastic the latter may be. Guiteau's Case (D. Ct) 10 Fed. 170. See Insanity.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

In medical jurisprudence, An insane delusion is an unreasoning and incorrigible belief in the existence of facts which are either impossible absolutely, or, at least, impossible under tie circumstances of the individual. Itis never the result of reasoning and reflection; it is not generated by them, and it cannot be dispelled by them; and hence itis not to be confounded with an opéiion, however fantastic thelatter may be. 10 Fed. Rep. 170.