nepenthe

[ ni-pen-thee ]

noun

1. a drug or drink, or the plant yielding it, mentioned by ancient writers as having the power to bring forgetfulness of sorrow or trouble.
2. anything inducing a pleasurable sensation of forgetfulness, especially of sorrow or trouble.

nepenthe

/ nɪˈpɛnθɪ /

noun

1. a drug, or the plant providing it, that ancient writers referred to as a means of forgetting grief or trouble
2. anything that produces sleep, forgetfulness, or pleasurable dreaminess

Derived Forms

• neˈpenthean, adjective

Other Words From

• ne·penthe·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepenthe¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin nēpenthes, from Greek nēpenthés “herb for soothing,” noun use of neuter of nēpenthḗs “banishing pain,” equivalent to nē- “un-” (negative prefix) + pénth(os) “grief, pain, sorrow” + -ēs adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of nepenthe¹

C16: via Latin from Greek nēpenthes sedative made from a herb, from nē- not + penthos grief

Example Sentences

I did not find the nepenthe I sought for anywhere on draught, so I went home in disgust.

From Project Gutenberg

Fifteen minutes later he returned with a kettle of his favourite nepenthe and all three adventurers drank to a bon voyage home.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not mistake tapers for torches, ducats for louis dors, vicarious nepenthe for dreamless death.

From Project Gutenberg

Lay thy annulling seal upon the o'erlabored heart: drop thy healing nepenthe into the weary brain.

From Project Gutenberg

Repeat that air; it fascinates, benumbs me, it takes away my memory like a cup of nepenthe.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• hard drug
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer