anesthetic

or an·aes·thet·ic

[ an-uh s-thet-ik ]
/ ˌæn əsˈθɛt ɪk /
SEE 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.

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Origin of anesthetic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM anesthetic

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

Words nearby anesthetic

anesthesia dolorosa, anesthesia record, anesthesimeter, anesthesiologist, anesthesiology, anesthetic, anesthetic depth, anesthetic leprosy, anesthetist, anesthetize, anestrous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to anesthetic

opiate, shot, dope, gas, soporific, analgesic, anodyne, hypnosis, inhalant, spinal

Example sentences from the Web for anesthetic

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

Medical 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.

Other words from anesthetic

an′es•thet′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural 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.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.