of unsound mind

of unsound mind

Having impaired or dysfunctional thought, memory, and/or cognitive understanding; unable to think and/or understand for oneself. My poor grandfather has been of unsound mind ever since he suffered that stroke last year.
See also: mind, of, unsound
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

of ˌunsound ˈmind

(law) not responsible for your actions because of a mental illness or condition: He escaped a prison sentence by reason of unsound mind at the time the crime was committed.
See also: mind, of, unsound
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be of unsound mind
  • be of sound mind
  • put (oneself) at (one's) ease
  • wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
  • wash hands of
  • wash one's hands of
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
  • wash your hands of something/someone
  • for sake
References in periodicals archive
A patient may apply to the court for an order that he is no longer of unsound mind and incapable of managing his own affairs.
In other cases where no plausible excuse can be offered, the godfathers of the accused suddenly claim immunity from prosecution on claims of unsound mind. Such persons will never be out of employment.
The romance did not last though as Rodman filed for divorce just over a week later, claiming he was of unsound mind when he married the Baywatch actress.
The evidence presented is relevant and eye-catching on some occasions, such as the labourers' demand for sewing machines to take home, the hundred indigenous Australians and white women who were married to labourers in 1906, or the unnamed labourer who wanted repeatedly to leap overboard and who had a case of unsound mind dismissed in the Maryborough court.
The convicted man reiterated earlier that he "has given the Jews the choice of converting to Islam, leaving Yemen or being killed." Abdi killed his wife five years ago but was spared prison when he was ruled to be of unsound mind.
However, the court emphasized, in the wake of the statute's passage, a question arose as to whether it left open an implied exception for minors and persons of unsound mind, in accordance with the long-standing disability tolling statute which provides in pertinent part: "If the person entitled to commence an action is, at the time the cause of action accrued, either within the age of eighteen (18) years, or of unsound mind, such person, or such person's representatives...may commence the action ..." The court noted that while there was no decision on the issue by the Supreme Court of Tennessee, there was, in fact, an even more compelling reason for the court to decide as it did.
He is evidently of unsound mind and if he has friends in the county they should see to the case."
However, this time limit is tolled if the person was "of unsound mind." For these individuals, the person has until three years after the disability is "removed" to file the lawsuit.
Attempts are made to disparage me so badly that I am made out to be of unsound mind. Repeatedly, allegations were made that the administration during my time was worse,'' he said in a statement.
In the complaint, Owens alleged that King was of unsound mind during the entire term of her residency at NHC.
He had hung himself and the jury returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind.
In California, an annulment may be granted when either party in the marriage is under 18, of unsound mind, bound to a previous marriage or if the consent to marry was obtained by fraud or force.
She was released briefly and recommitted again in April 1923, medically diagnosed by the state's psychiatrists as being of unsound mind.
At the subsequent inquest, the coroner returned a verdict of 'suicide while of unsound mind', but many left-wing observers remained sceptical, suspecting the possibility of foul play.
McCardell did not have the necessary testamentary capacity to execute the wills in 1981, and that after March 22, 1981, she was of unsound mind, so as to invalidate any documents signed by her after that date.