nepenthe

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Noun

Singular
nepenthe

Plural
nepenthes

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!"
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