madness

• Nom désignant un état de maladie mentale ou d'extrême folie, ainsi qu'un état de grande colère ou d'excitation débridée ; également terme désuet pour la folie au sens juridique et pour une maladie virale aiguë du système nerveux (rage).

A noun referring to a state of being mentally ill or extremely foolish, or to a condition of intense anger or unrestrained excitement; also an obsolete term for legal insanity and an acute viral disease of the nervous system (rabies).

indénombrable

1. Legal InsanityC2formallegal

   A historical term for a state of mental illness that legally exempts a person from responsibility for their actions.

   Aliénation mentale (responsabilité pénale)

   • The defendant was found not guilty by reason of madness.
   • In old legal texts, madness was a recognized defense.
   • The court debated the definition of madness in the case.

   Synonymesdementiainsanitylunacy

2. RabiesB2formalmedical

   An acute viral disease affecting the nervous system of warm-blooded animals, typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, and fatal if untreated.

   Rage (maladie virale)

   • The dog was diagnosed with madness and had to be quarantined.
   • Vaccination campaigns have reduced the incidence of madness in wildlife.
   • Symptoms of madness include aggression and paralysis.

   Synonymeshydrophobiarabies

3. Intense AngerB1informal

   A feeling of extreme fury or rage.

   Fureur, rage

   • He was filled with madness after the betrayal.
   • Her madness at the injustice was palpable.
   • The crowd's madness turned into a riot.

   Synonymesfrenzyfuryireoutrageragewrath

   Antonymescalmnesscomposurepeaceserenity

4. FoolishnessB2informal

   The quality of being rash, reckless, or lacking good judgment.

   Folie (imprudence)

   • It was sheer madness to drive in that blizzard.
   • His decision to quit his job without a plan was madness.
   • The plan was dismissed as madness by the committee.

   Synonymesabsurditycrazinessfollyfoolishnessimprudenceinsanitylunacyrashnessrecklessness

   Antonymescautionjudgmentprudencesanitywisdom

5. Unrestrained ExcitementB2informal

   A state of wild enthusiasm or excitement that is not controlled.

   Excitation débridée

   • The fans were in a state of madness after the winning goal.
   • There was madness in the air during the carnival.
   • The concert ended in a frenzy of madness.

   Synonymescrazedeliriumfrenzyfurorhysteriamaniawildness

   Antonymescalmnesscomposureserenitysobrietytranquility