pacifier

[pas-uh-fahy-er]

See more synonyms for pacifier on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing that pacifies.
a rubber or plastic device, often shaped into a nipple, for a baby to suck or bite on.

Origin of pacifier

First recorded in 1525–35; pacify + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pacifier

referee, mediator, negotiator, diplomat, arbitrator, pacifist, conciliator, peacekeeper, medication, opiate, narcotic, peacemaker, alleviator, stabilizer, pacifier, appeaser, make-peace, dope, drug, hypnotic

Examples from the Web for pacifier

Contemporary Examples of pacifier

In the short silent clip, Maria has a pacifier in her mouth.
The Mysterious Case of Maria, Greece’s Fake Roma Child
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 21, 2013

Historical Examples of pacifier

This project to be his housekeeper was one dear to Meg's heart, the pacifier of her wrath.
Meg's Friend
Alice Abigail Corkran
"Well, Dr. Seaman," she demanded as I chewed on my pacifier.
The Trouble with Telstar
John Berryman
But at such times Basine revealed his interesting talents as a compromiser, fence straddler, pacifier.
Gargoyles
Ben Hecht
Hanneh Breineh tied the child in the chair, stuck a pacifier in his mouth, and went in to her neighbor.
The Best Short Stories of 1919
Various
After a child has used a pacifier or comforter for some time it invariably becomes a mouth breather.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol 2 (of 4)
W. Grant Hague

British Dictionary definitions for pacifier

pacifier

noun

a person or thing that pacifies
US and Canadian a baby's dummy or teething ring

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

Word Origin and History for pacifier

"one who pacifies or appeases," 1530s, agent noun from pacify. The meaning "nipple-shaped device for babies" is first recorded 1904.