1.NounA bumbling or eccentric scientist working on questionable projects, or a villainous scientist bent on destruction; sometimes, a complex character in whom these archetypes seem to vie for supremacy.
A stock character in fiction who embodies such an archetype.
"The Nutty Professor franchise explores the light comedic potential of a mad scientist.; Dr Strangelove explores the darker comedic potential of a mad scientist.; Her new novel involves a mad scientist, but there's more to it than just bubbling flasks and lightning bolts.; The mad scientists at Acme Labs have done it again! [said either approvingly or disparagingly]; In the 1890s, some of the locals viewed the chemical plant as a folly run by mad scientists and venal aristocrats."
2.NounA stock character in fiction who embodies such an archetype.
"The Nutty Professor franchise explores the light comedic potential of a mad scientist.; Dr Strangelove explores the darker comedic potential of a mad scientist.; Her new novel involves a mad scientist, but there's more to it than just bubbling flasks and lightning bolts."
3.NounA real-life scientist who is asserted to embody such an archetype.
"The mad scientists at Acme Labs have done it again! [said either approvingly or disparagingly]"
4.NounUsed other than figuratively or idiomatically: a scientist who is insane, power-mad, or similarly deranged.
"In the 1890s, some of the locals viewed the chemical plant as a folly run by mad scientists and venal aristocrats."