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Possessed vs Insane - What's the difference?

possessed | insane | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between possessed and insane

is that possessed is controlled by evil spirits while insane is exhibiting unsoundness or disorder of mind; not sane; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted.

As a verb possessed

is past tense of possess.

possessed

Verb

(head)
  • (possess)
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • by evil spirits.
  • He was exorcised because he was thought to be possessed by the Devil.
  • Seized by powerful emotions.
  • * 1719 , :
  • Oh, what ridiculous resolutions men take when possessed with fear!
  • Having; owning.
  • The president was possessed of great wealth.
  • *1854 , Dickens, Hard Times :
  • *:'Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!' said Mr Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. 'Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals!'
  • Derived terms

    * self-possessed

    insane

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Exhibiting unsoundness or disorder of mind; not sane; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted.
  • * '>citation
  • What is the cause of insanity?
    Nobody can answer such a sweeping question as that,
    but we know that certain diseases, such as syphilis, break
    down and destroy the brain cells and result in insanity. In
    fact, about one-half of all mental diseases can be attributed
    to such physical causes as brain lesions, alcohol, toxins,
    and injuries. But the other half—and this is the appalling
    part of the story—the other half of the people who go in-
    sane' apparently have nothing organically wrong with
    their brain cells. In post-mortem examinations, when their
    brain tissues are studied under the highest-powered micro-
    scopes, they are found to be apparently just as healthy as
    yours and mine.
    Why do these people go '
    insane
    ?
  • Used by, or appropriated to, insane persons; as, an insane hospital.
  • Causing insanity or madness.
  • Characterized by insanity or the utmost folly; chimerical; unpractical; as, an insane plan, attempt, etc.
  • * , chapter=16
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=The preposterous altruism too!

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * sane

    Anagrams

    * ----