Dictionary.com

mens rea

[ menz-ree-uh ]
/ ˈmɛnz ˈri ə /
Save This Word!

noun Law.
a criminal intent.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of mens rea

First recorded in 1860–65, mens rea is from New Latin mēns rea
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mens rea in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mens rea

mens rea
/ (ˈmɛnz ˈreɪə) /

noun
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 itCompare actus reus

Word Origin for mens rea

Latin, literally: guilty mind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK