anodyne

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 Derived terms 1.6 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Mediaeval Latin anodynus (“‘pain-removing’”) < Latin anodynus (“‘painless’”) < Ancient Greek ἀνώδυνος (anōdynos), “‘free from pain’”) < ἀν- (an-), “‘without’”) + ὀδύνη (odynē), “‘pain’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˈæn.əˌdaɪn/

[edit] Adjective

anodyne (comparative more anodyne, superlative most anodyne)

1. Capable of soothing or eliminating pain.

   Paracetamol has an anodyne effect.

2. (figuratively) Soothing or relaxing.

   ClassicFM's music is rather anodyne.

3. (of advice or opinion) Noncontentious, blandly agreeable, unlikely to cause offence or debate.

   ClassicFM's music is rather anodyne.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

anodyne (plural anodynes)

1. (pharmacology) Any medicine or other agent that relieves pain.
2. (figuratively) A source of relaxation or comfort.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• anodynia
• anodynous

[edit] References

• anodyne in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “anodyne” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001