anxiolytic

[ ang-zee-uh-lit-ik ]

adjective

1. anxiety relieving.

noun

1. antianxiety drug.

anxiolytic

/ ˌæŋksɪəʊˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs that reduce anxiety

adjective

1. of or relating to this class of drugs

anxiolytic

/ ăng′zē-ō-lĭt′ĭk /

1. A drug used to treat acute or chronic anxiety.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxiolytic¹

First recorded in 1960–65; anxi(ety) + -o- + -lytic