Anesthetic

Alternative forms

 * anaesthetic

Etymology
From Greek anaisthetos insensible.

Pronunciation

 * , {{SAMPA|/%{n@s"TEtIk/}}

Adjective

 * 1) Causing the reduction of pain sensitivity.

Noun

 * 1)  A substance administered to reduce the perception of pain or to induce numbness.  An anesthetic may or may not render the recipient unconscious, depending upon the type used.

Related terms

 * freezing

Thesaurus
alleviating; alleviative; analgesic; anodyne; assuasive; balmy; balsamic; benumbing; cathartic; chloroform; cleansing; cocaine; deadening; demulcent; dope; drug; dull; dulling; easing; emollient; ether; ethyl chloride; ethylene; gas; hard; hypnotic; impassible; impenetrable; impermeable; impervious; insensate; insensitive; knockout drop; lenitive; lullaby; mandrake; menthol; mitigating; mitigative; morphia; morphine; narcotic; nightcap; nitrous oxide; numbing; obtuse; opiate; opium; pain-killer; pain-killing; palliative; poppy; purgative; relieving; remedial; rocky; sedative; sleep-bringer; sleep-inducer; sleep-producer; sleeping pill; softening; somnifacient; soothing; soporific; stunning; stupefying; subduing; tranquilizer