sanity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the state of having a healthy mind and being able to think normally.
the state of being mentally sound and healthy; often used in contexts regarding the preservation of one's mental stability under pressure.
Simple“He took a long walk every evening to help maintain his sanity during the busy project.”
In context“The isolation of the research station began to test the crew's sanity as the winter months dragged on without any outside contact.”
UsageUncountable in this general sense.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the quality of being sensible and making good decisions.
the quality of being reasonable, rational, or sensible in one's actions and judgements.
Simple“After an hour of arguing, sanity finally returned to the meeting and they made a decision.”
In context“The judge's ruling was hailed as a return to sanity in a legal system that many felt had become increasingly unpredictable.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'a return to sanity'.
Synonyms
From Middle English sanite, sanyte, sanytee, from Middle French sanité, from Latin sānitās, from sānus (“healthy”) + -itās (“-ity”). By surface analysis, sane + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.