term:

Heat Of Passion

heat of passion

:an agitated state of mind (as anger or terror) prompted by provocation sufficient to overcome the ability of a reasonable person to reflect on and control his or her actions called also heat of blood heat of passion on sudden provocation hot blood sudden heat sudden heat of passion sudden passion see also manslaughter compare cold blood, cool state of blood

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.