late 13c., "affected with periodic insanity, dependent on the changes of the moon," from Old French lunatique, lunage "insane," or directly from Late Latin lunaticus "moon-struck," from Latin luna "moon" (see Luna). Compare Old English monseoc "lunatic," literally "moon-sick;" Middle High German lune "humor, temper, mood, whim, fancy" (German Laune), from Latin luna. Compare also New Testament Greek seleniazomai "be epileptic," from selene "moon." Lunatic fringe (1913) apparently was coined by U.S. politician Theodore Roosevelt.
Then, among the wise and high-minded people who in self-respecting and genuine fashion strive earnestly for peace, there are foolish fanatics always to be found in such a movement and always discrediting it -- the men who form the lunatic fringe in all reform movements. [Theodore Roosevelt, autobiography, 1913].
Earlier it was a term for a type of hairstyle worn over the forehead (1877). Lunatic soup (1933) was Australian slang for "alcoholic drink."
lunatic (n.)
"lunatic person," late 14c., from lunatic (adj.).
实用例句
1. The word "lunatic" was coined to describe people who went mad at the full moon.
lunatic是个生造词，用来形容月圆时发疯的人。
来自柯林斯例句
2. This murderous lunatic could kill them both without a second thought.
这个杀人狂会不假思索地把他们两个都杀掉。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Malcolm looked at her as if she were a raving lunatic.
马尔科姆看着她好像在看一个精神错乱的疯子。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The official dismissed the speech as the ramblings of a desperate lunatic.
