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Synonyms

calmative

American  
[kah-muh-tiv, kal-muh-] / ˈkɑ mə tɪv, ˈkæl mə- /

adjective

  1. having a sedative effect.


noun

  1. a calmative agent.

calmative British  
/ ˈkælmətɪv, ˈkɑːmə- /

adjective

  1. (of a remedy or agent) sedative

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a sedative remedy or drug

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of calmative

First recorded in 1865–70; calm + -ative


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Omniscient as Sherlock Holmes and calmative as Candida, Constance knows all about it and does not wish to be told.

From Time Magazine Archive

Slipping her arm again under his head, she carefully administered a dose of the cordial which had been made up for him as a calmative against his sudden heart attacks.

From The Treasure of Heaven A Romance of Riches by Marie Corelli

Whatever comfort may lurk in curses, at least they carry no money profit; so after a fruitless session over coffee and maledictions, I arose, and as a calmative, walked down Broadway.

From The Onlooker, Volume 1, Part 2 by Alfred Henry Lewis

He would let Storri vent his excitement, blow off steam, as Mr. Harley expressed it; and then he would go about those calmative steps of explanation and assurance suggested of the case.

From The President A novel by Alfred Henry Lewis

The Turkish bath is a calmative to the nervous and the vascular systems, and therefore of great utility in cases of sleeplessness.

From Turkish and Other Baths A Guide to Good Health and Longevity by Gordon Stables

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