mind

min + -d

From Middle English minde, münde, ȝemünde, from Old English mynd, ġemynd (“memory”), from Proto-West Germanic *mundi, *gamundi, from Proto-Germanic *mundiz, *gamundiz (“memory, remembrance”), from Proto-Indo-European *méntis (“thought”) (compare also mantis, via Greek), from the root *men- (“to think”). Cognate with Old High German gimunt (“mind, memory”), Danishminde (“memory”), Swedish minne (“memory”), Icelandic minni (“memory, recall, recollection”), Gothic 𐌼𐌿𐌽𐌳𐍃 (munds, “memory, mind”), Latin mēns (“mind, reason”), Sanskrit मनस् (mánas), Ancient Greek μένος (ménos), Albanian mënd(“mind, reason”). Doublet of mantra. Related to Old English myntan (“to mean, intend, purpose, determine, resolve”). More at mint.

Pronunciation

• enPR: mīnd, IPA^(key): /maɪnd/

Audio (US)

Duration: 1 second.0:01

• Rhymes: -aɪnd
• Homophone: mined

Noun

mind (countable and uncountable, plural minds)

1. The capability for rational thought. [ quotations ▼]

   Despite advancing age, his mind was still as sharp as ever.

2. The ability to be aware of things.

   There was no doubt in his mind that they would win.

3. The ability to remember things.

   My mind just went blank.

4. The ability to focus the thoughts.

   I can’t keep my mind on what I’m doing.

5. Somebody that embodies certain mental qualities. [ quotations ▼]

   He was one of history’s greatest minds.

6. Judgment, opinion, or view.

   He changed his mind after hearing the speech.

7. Desire, inclination, or intention. [ quotations ▼]

   She had a mind to go to Paris.

   I have half a mind to do it myself.

   I am of a mind to listen.

8. A healthy mental state.

   I, ______ being of sound mind and body, do hereby […]

   You are losing your mind.

9. (philosophy) The non-material substance or set of processes in which consciousness, perception, affectivity, judgement, thinking, and will are based. [ quotations ▼]

   The nature of the mind is a major topic in philosophy.

10. Continual prayer on a dead person's behalf for a period after their death.

    a month's [or monthly] mind; a year's mind

11. (uncountable) Attention, consideration or thought. [ quotations ▼]

Synonyms

• (ability for rational thought): brain(s), head, intellect, intelligence, nous, psyche, reason, wit; See also Thesaurus:intelligence
• (ability to be aware of things): awareness, consciousness, sentience; See also Thesaurus:awareness
• (ability to remember things): memory, recollection; See also Thesaurus:recollection
• (ability to focus the thoughts): attention, concentration, focus
• (somebody that embodies certain mental qualities): genius, intellectual, thinker; See also Thesaurus:genius
• (judgment, opinion, or view): judgment, judgement, idea, opinion, view; See also Thesaurus:judgement
• (desire, inclination, or intention): desire, disposition, idea, inclination, intention, mood; See also Thesaurus:desire or Thesaurus:intention
• (healthy mental state): sanity; See also Thesaurus:sanity
• (process of): cognition, learning