c.1422, from M.Fr. mental, from L.L. mentalis "of the mind," from L. mens (gen. mentis) "mind," from PIE base *men- "to think" (cf. Skt. matih "thought, mind," Goth. gamunds, O.E. gemynd "memory, remembrance," Mod.Eng. mind). Meaning "crazy, deranged" is from 1927. Mentality formed in Eng. 1691.