alienist

Definition

An expert in mental illness, especially with reference to legal ramifications.

Etymology

Borrowed from French aliéniste, from aliéné (“insane”).

Example Sentences

• "‘Are you an alienist?’ I interrupted. ‘Every doctor should be - a little,’ answered that original, imperturbably."
• "A trial for poisoning means an exhaustive study not only of analytic chemistry, but of practical medicine on the part of all the lawyers in the case, while a plea of insanity requires that, for the time being, the district attorney shall become an alienist, familiar with every aspect of paranoia, dementia praecox, and all other forms of mania."
• ""Speaking as a medical man," said I, "it appears to be a case for an alienist. The old gentleman's cerebral processes were disturbed by the love affair.[…]""