sedative

[sed-uh-tiv] /ˈsɛd ə tɪv/
adjective
1.
tending to calm or soothe.
2.
allaying irritability or excitement; assuaging pain; lowering functional activity.
noun
3.
a sedative drug or agent.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English (adj.) (< Middle French sédatif) < Medieval Latin sēdātīvus, equivalent to Latin sēdāt(us) (see sedate) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
unsedative, adjective
Examples from the web for sedative
  • Pentobarbital is sedative, which is a medicine that makes you sleepy.
  • Prescription drugs used specifically for improving sleeping are called sedative hypnotics.
  • When he was finished, he injected a drug to counteract the sedative.
  • The sedative medications ward off convulsions and brain damage.
  • Depending on the amount taken in, nicotine can act as either a stimulant or a sedative.
  • It is a sedative to the viscera, a tonic, antipyretic.
  • Basically any sedative makes one slower by definition.
  • In medical school, a standard therapy was the sedative phenobarbital.
  • It had taken a few tries to find the vein, but the sedative was working.
  • Those who would do so should review the history of the sedative drug thalidomide.
British Dictionary definitions for sedative

sedative

/ˈsɛdətɪv/
adjective
1.
having a soothing or calming effect
2.
of or relating to sedation
noun
3.
(med) a sedative drug or agent
Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin sēdātīvus, from Latin sēdātus assuaged; see sedate1
Word Origin and History for sedative
adj.

"tending to calm or soothe," early 15c., from Medieval Latin sedativus "calming, allaying," from sedat-, past participle stem of sedare, causative of sedere "to sit" (see sedentary). The noun derivative meaning "a sedative drug" is attested from 1785. Hence, "whatever soothes or allays."

sedative in Medicine

sedative sed·a·tive (sěd'ə-tĭv)
adj.
Having a soothing, calming, or tranquilizing effect; reducing or relieving anxiety, stress, irritability, or excitement. n.
An agent or a drug that produces a soothing, calming, or tranquilizing effect.

sedative in Science
sedative
  (sěd'ə-tĭv)   
A drug having a calming or quieting effect, often given to reduce anxiety or to promote relaxation.