Etymology

From Late Latin mentiō, mentiōnem (in the alternative sense of "lie" as opposed to "mention"); this meaning may derive from a reduction of a root *mentītiō, from Latin mentītus, past participle of mentior, and is unrelated to the original meaning of mentiō. Compare Aromanian minciunã. Compare also Italian menzogna, French mensonge, Romansch manzegna.