nepenthe

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 1.2.1 Quotations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin nēpenthes < Ancient Greek νηπενθής (nepenthes), “‘soothing sorrow’”), νη (ne), “‘a negative prefix’”) + πένθος (penthos), “‘grief, sorrow’”)

[edit] Noun

nepenthe (plural nepenthes)

1. A drug described in Homer's Odyssey that relieves one of emotional pain, grief or sorrow.
2. Anything which effects the welcome forgetfulness of such sorrow.

[edit] Quotations

• 1845, Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven (published in the New York Evening Mirror)

  "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee — by these angels he hath sent thee

  Respite — respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore.

  Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"