HEAT OF PASSION

A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Heat of passion (from Latin affectus) — a legal and psychological concept describing a sudden, intense emotional state (such as rage or fear) that impairs a person's self-control. In criminal law, acting in the heat of passion may mitigate liability, whereas a severe pathological state may lead to a defense of temporary insanity.