Imbecile Law and Legal Definition
An imbecile refers to an individual who lacks normal mental ability but not complete or absolute. In law of lunacy, an imbecile is considered to be of greater mental abilities than an idiot.
The following is an example of a case law defining imbecile: ‘An imbecile is one destitute of strength, either of body or mind. One who is weak, feeble, impotent, and decrepit.’ Mental imbecility is a weakness of the mind due to the defective development or loss of the faculties, whether it will incapacitate the subject for the ordinary duties of life depends upon the seriousness of the infirmity in the particular case. [In re Emswiler, 11 Ohio Dec. 10, 13 (Ohio Misc. 1900)]
