[a. mod. Fr. aliéniste: see ALIENATION 4 and -IST.] One who treats mental diseases; a mental pathologist; a ‘mad-doctor.’
1857. J. C. Bucknill, in Asylum Jrnl. Ment. Sci., 147. But the slighter shades of perverted emotion require all the adroitness of the experienced alienist to detect. Ibid., 182. To deceive a skilful alienist who takes pains patiently and fully to investigate the case, the simulator of insanity must, if he displays any active symptoms, not only have carefully observed the symptoms, but be able himself to represent those symptoms with powers of imitation which are possessed by few.
1864. Soc. Sc. Rev., I. 447. A distinguished alienist, and Member of the Belgian Lunacy Commission.
1881. Romanes, in Nature, XXV. 193. All alienists are agreed as to the greater frequency of mental alienation in the summer season.
