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Glite Dictionary
🧠 With severe disability 🚫 Offensive old term
oligophrenic

oligophrenic

1 9.9
A rude old word for a person with a learning disability
  • noun
  • /ˌɑlɪɡəˈfrɛnɪk/
  • Slur
translation icon : oligofrénico
  • Using oligophrenic to describe someone with an intellectual disability is considered offensive today.

Examples

  • The outdated label oligophrenic carries a heavy stigma that many advocates are working to remove.

  • We could always describe Ed as oligophrenic.

    Blog text (34)

  • In the past, the term oligophrenic was used to label individuals with severe intellectual disabilities.

Synonyms

developmentally challenged
vsoligophrenic
1 5.3

People who have difficulty learning and understanding things

is offensive and outdated rather than polite and euphemistic

Antonyms

gifted
5 3.5

Having very strong natural ability, often in art, music, or school subjects

How Severe

oligophrenic
  • Slur
1 9.9
disabled
27 3.3
non-handicapped
  • Archaic
5.3

Surface Forms

oligophrenic singular
oligophrenics plural

Morphology

oligophrenic = oligophrenic (opaque) = oligo + phren + ic

The noun is a converted use of the adjective, but the classical elements do not transparently yield the modern offensive meaning.

Etymology

Oligophrenic comes from Greek parts oligo- 'few' or 'small' and phren 'mind', so it literally meant 'small mind'. A helpful way to remember this is that the origin makes the word feel insulting, which is why oligophrenic is now an outdated and offensive noun and people use respectful words like 'person with an intellectual disability' instead.