sed·a·tive (s d  -t v)adj. Having a soothing, calming, or tranquilizing effect; reducing or relieving anxiety, stress, irritability, or excitement. n. An agent or a drug having a soothing, calming, or tranquilizing effect. [Middle English, from Old French sedatif, from Medieval Latin s  d t vus, from Latin sdtus, past participle of sdre, to calm; see sedate1.] |
sedative
Adjective
having a soothing or calming effect
Noun
Med a sedative drug or agent that makes people sleep or calm down [Latin sedatus assuaged]
| sedative (sd-tv) A drug having a calming or quieting effect, often given to reduce anxiety or to promote relaxation. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | sedative - a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person chloral hydrate - a colorless crystalline drug used as a sedative; irritates the stomach and can be addictive drug of abuse, street drug - a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction Doriden, glutethimide - sedative (trade name Doriden) used to treat some sleep disorders medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease sedative-hypnotic, sedative-hypnotic drug - a sedative that depresses activity of the central nervous system and reduces anxiety and induces sleep |
| Adj. | 1. |  sedative - tending to soothe or tranquilize; "valium has a tranquilizing effect"; "took a hot drink with sedative properties before going to bed"depressant - capable of depressing physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent |
sedative
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