sedative
pronunciation
How to pronounce sedative in British English:
UK [ˈsedətɪv]
How to pronounce sedative in American English:
US [ˈsɛdətɪv]
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- Noun:
- a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person
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- Adjective:
- tending to soothe or tranquilize
Word Origin
- 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."
Example
- 1. We 'll have to combine it with an extremely powerful sedative .
- 2. Other types of sedative medications , such as zolpidem ( ambien ) , are sometimes used instead .
- 3. If the case is done with sedation , the intravenous ( iv ) sedative will make you feel relaxed and sleepy .
- 4. After repeated prodding , murray revealed a few details about his actions , saying he had only given jackson a dose of the sedative lorazepam to help him sleep , senneff testified .
- 5. The former is also used as a sedative , so one explanation for their actions is that they felt dizzy from the ether vapors and thought it was a good idea to pour them in the sewer .