nepenthe (redirected from nepenthean)

ne·pen·the  (n-pnth)

n.

1. A drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief.

2. Something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain.

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[Alteration of Latin npenthes, from Greek npenthes (pharmakon), grief-banishing (drug), nepenthe, neuter of npenths : n-, not; see ne in Indo-European roots + penthos, grief; see k^went(h)- in Indo-European roots.]

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ne·penthe·an (-th-n) adj.

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nepenthe [nɪˈpɛnθɪ]

n

1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a drug, or the plant providing it, that ancient writers referred to as a means of forgetting grief or trouble

2. anything that produces sleep, forgetfulness, or pleasurable dreaminess

[via Latin from Greek nēpenthes sedative made from a herb, from nē- not + penthos grief]

nepenthean  adj