anesthetic

an·es·thet·ic also an·aes·thet·ic  (ns-thtk)

adj.

1. Relating to or resembling anesthesia.

2. Causing anesthesia.

3. Insensitive.

n.

1. An agent that causes loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.

2. Something likened to this in effect: For some people watching television is an anesthetic for the mind.

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[From Greek anaisthtos, without feeling : an-, without; see a-¹ + aisthtos, perceptible (from aisthanesthai, to feel; see anesthesia).]

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anes·theti·cal·ly adv.

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anesthetic  (ns-thtk)

A drug that temporarily depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	anesthetic - a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations anaesthetic, anaesthetic agent, anesthetic agent drug - a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic general anaesthetic, general anesthetic - an anesthetic that anesthetizes the entire body and causes loss of consciousness intravenous anesthetic - an anesthetic that produces anesthesia when injected into the circulatory system local anaesthetic, local anesthetic, topical anaesthetic, topical anesthetic, local - anesthetic that numbs a particular area of the body spinal anaesthetic, spinal anesthetic - an anesthetic that is injected into the spine
Adj.	1.	anesthetic - relating to or producing insensibility anaesthetic
	2.	anesthetic - characterized by insensibility; "the young girls are in a state of possession--blind and deaf and anesthetic"; "an anesthetic state" anaesthetic insensible - incapable of physical sensation; "insensible to pain"; "insensible earth"