sedative — (adj.) tending to calm or soothe, early 15c., from M.L. sedativus calming, allaying, from pp. stem of sedare (see SEDATE (Cf. sedate)). The noun derivative meaning a sedative drug is attested from 1785 … Etymology dictionary
sedative — [adj] soothing allaying, anodyne, calmative, calming, lenitive, relaxing, sleepinducing, soporific, tranquillizing; concept 537 Ant. agitating, excitative, upsetting sedative [n] soothing agent, medicine analgesic, anodyne, barbiturate, calmant,… … New thesaurus
sedative — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ promoting calm or inducing sleep. ► NOUN ▪ a sedative drug … English terms dictionary
sedative — [sed′ə tiv] adj. [MFr sédatif < ML sedativus < L sedatus: see SEDATE1] 1. tending to soothe or quiet 2. Med. having the property of lessening excitement, nervousness, or irritation n. a sedative medicine … English World dictionary
Sedative — Sed a*tive, a. [Cf. F. s[ e]datif.] Tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize; specifically (Med.), allaying irritability and irritation; assuaging pain. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Sedative — Sed a*tive, n. (Med.) A remedy which allays irritability and irritation, and irritative activity or pain. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
sedative — index drug, narcotic (adjective), narcotic (noun), palliative (abating) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
Sedative — A sedative, or, more specifically, a sedative hypnotic, is a substance that depresses the central nervous system (CNS),cite web |url=http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns hl dorlands split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/seven/0000955… … Wikipedia
sedative — n. 1) to administer, give a sedative 2) to take a sedative 3) a mild; strong sedative * * * [ sedətɪv] give a sedative strong sedative a mild to administer to take a sedative … Combinatory dictionary
sedative — [[t]se̱dətɪv[/t]] sedatives 1) N COUNT A sedative is a medicine or drug that calms you or makes you sleep. They use opium as a sedative, rather than as a narcotic. 2) ADJ: ADJ n Something that has a sedative effect calms you or makes you sleep.… … English dictionary
Sedative — A drug that calms a patient down, easing agitation and permitting sleep. Sedatives generally work by modulating signals within the central nervous system. These sedatives can dangerously depress important signals needed to maintain heart and lung … Medical dictionary