What Does Idiot Mean?

A person having subnormal intelligence is referred to as an idiot. Idiot means a stupid or foolish person. A person who is an idiot has profound mental retardation. Though they may be physically healthy adults their mental age is that of a three year old. Due to their limited mental capacity they cannot be taught connected speech and they are unable to guard themselves against common dangers. Idiot is no longer in use in language other then when used as a derogative. It is a common form of insult.

Words that convey a similar meaning are moron, retard, nincompoop, simpleton, ass etc.

The word "idiot" is from the Middle English and was taken from the Old French "idiote" which in turn was from the Latin word "idiota", but the root of the word is the Greek word "idiots" meaning a layman or a private person.

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