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M'Naghten test

American  
[muhk-nawt-n] / məkˈnɔt n /

noun

  1. a rule that defines a person as legally insane when that person cannot distinguish right from wrong.


Etymology

Origin of M'Naghten test

After Daniel M'Naghten (died 1865), defendant in a murder case adjudicated in England in 1843

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The M’Naghten test was used in most U.S. courts well into the 20th century, before the American Law Institute, a think tank, proposed a more liberal rule.

From Washington Post • Sep. 4, 2019

A supplement to the M'Naghten test added "irresistible impulse" but neither test seemed to fit Sheller.

From Time Magazine Archive

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