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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  
/ ˈkɑːmə-, ˈkælmətɪv /

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

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 Stables, Gordon

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 Lewis, Alfred Henry

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 Corelli, Marie

To this individual, as a kind of human calmative and tonic combined, Sir Roger de Launay was in the habit of going whenever he felt his own customary tranquillity at all disturbed.

From Temporal Power by Corelli, Marie

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