mentally retarded
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈmɛn.təl.i rɪˈtɑrdɪd/
- Slur
:
retrasado mental (insulto)
- Twelve students were mildly mentally retarded (six boys and six girls).
- mildly mentally retarded
- mentally retarded offenders
- labeled mentally retarded
Examples
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The Court in Atkins held that capital punishment of mentally retarded offenders violates the Eighth Amendment, even though such punishment was permitted under the laws of twenty states.
Academic text (2004) -
But then here comes Atkins, right in the middle of the trial, and it says it's unconstitutional to execute the mentally retarded," Price says.
Academic text (2002) -
None of the children were psychotic, mentally retarded, or brain damaged.
Academic text (1993) -
The capital sentence for murder imposed on the mentally retarded offender.
Academic text (2004) -
About 6% were receiving some form of special education, although none was classified as mentally retarded or receiving special education services in a self-contained setting.
Academic text (1993) -
But Penry, who claims he's mentally retarded, twice has won new sentencing trials from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Academic text (2002) -
The ABA's death penalty stance also includes opposition to executing the mentally retarded or defendants who were under 18 at the time of the offense.
Academic text (2002) -
FG: As stated earlier, many kids are identified erroneously as LD when in fact they are mildly mentally retarded, have behavior problems, or are simply low academic achievers.
Academic text (2006) -
Flynn (2000) documented the shifting percentage of people diagnosed as mentally retarded over the last 50 years, from a high of 1 in 23 to a low of 1 in 213.
Academic text (2006) -
The organization aims to improve living conditions for people who are mentally retarded.
Synonyms
1
7.4
A person who has difficulty learning or understanding new things
1
5.3
People who have difficulty learning and understanding things
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'people with delayed intellectual development' is directly and predictably composed from 'mentally' (relating to the intellect) + 'retarded' (delayed development), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the sense. Although the phrase is now offensive and dated (learners should be warned about register and appropriateness), that pragmatic status does not reduce its morphological transparency.
Etymology
Mentally retarded comes from an old medical phrase: mentally meant 'of the mind' and retarded meant 'slowed' or 'delayed', so it was used to say someone's mental development was slower. Over time the word 'retarded' became a cruel insult, so today it is considered offensive and people say 'people with intellectual disabilities' instead.