anesthetic

or an·aes·thet·ic

[ an-uh s-thet-ik ]

/ ˌæn əsˈθɛt ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR anesthetic ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a substance that produces anesthesia, as halothane, procaine, or ether.

adjective

pertaining to or causing physical insensibility: an anesthetic gas.

physically insensitive: Halothane is used to produce an anesthetic state.

Nearby words

anesthesia dolorosa, anesthesia record, anesthesimeter, anesthesiologist, anesthesiology, anesthetic, anesthetic depth, anesthetic leprosy, anesthetist, anesthetize, anestrous

Origin of anesthetic

1840–50, Americanism; < Greek anaísthēt(os) without feeling, senseless + -ic; see an-¹, aesthetic

Related forms

an·es·thet·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·an·es·thet·ic, adjective, nounpost·an·es·thet·ic, adjectivesem·i·an·es·thet·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for anesthetic

And I have to have whiskey because alcohol is both an antiseptic and an anesthetic.
My Reverse-Cyrano Moment Wooing the Supreme Court|P. J. O’Rourke|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One last question: how did The Times obtain that data on Iranian anesthetic stockpiles?
Take Responsibility for Your Actions, Iran!|David Frum|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, gives one an exhilarating feeling while operating as an anesthetic.
Gina Gershon’s Trip to Heaven in the Dentist’s Chair|Gina Gershon|October 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But did Murray provide Jackson with a dangerous level of anesthetic that caused his death?
The Year in Michael Jackson|The Daily Beast Video|June 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Large claims for its anesthetic and antiseptic virtues have been made.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
The finding of the matches was like an anesthetic to the agony of the clamp on his leg.
Bulldog Carney|W. A. Fraser
The road-worker drew a long breath as he came out from under the anesthetic.
The Friendly Road|(AKA David Grayson) Ray Stannard Baker
Anesthetic incidents under conditions in which great pain might well be expected are not uncommon.
Psychotherapy|James J. Walsh
The pain incident to subsequent thawing is severe and, in general, is about as hard to bear as an incision without an anesthetic.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

British Dictionary definitions for anesthetic

anesthetic

/ (ˌænɪsˈθɛtɪk) /

noun, adjective

the usual US spelling of anaesthetic

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

Medicine definitions for anesthetic

anesthetic

[ ăn′ĭs-thĕt′ĭk ]

n.

An agent that reversibly depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation.

adj.

Characterized by the loss of sensation.

Capable of producing a loss of sensation.

Associated with or due to the state of anesthesia.

Related forms

an′es•thet′i•cal•ly adv.

Science definitions for anesthetic

anesthetic

[ ăn′ĭs-thĕt′ĭk ]

A drug that temporarily depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.

Culture definitions for anesthetic

anesthetic

[ (an-is-thet-ik) ]

A substance that causes loss of sensation or consciousness. With the aid of an anesthetic, people can undergo surgery without pain. (See general anesthetic and local anesthetic.)