mens rea

[menz ree-uh]

noun

Law.

1. a criminal intent.

mens rea

/ ˈmɛnz ˈreɪə /

noun

1. law a criminal intention or knowledge that an act is wrong. It is assumed to be an ingredient of all criminal offences although some minor statutory offences are punishable irrespective of it Compare actus reus

Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea¹

First recorded in 1860–65, mens rea is from New Latin mēns rea

Word History and Origins

Origin of mens rea¹

Latin, literally: guilty mind