pacifier

American  

[pas-uh-fahy-er] / ˈpæs əˌfaɪ ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that pacifies.

2. a rubber or plastic device, often shaped into a nipple, for a baby to suck or bite on.

---

pacifier British  

/ ˈpæsɪˌfaɪə /

noun

1. a person or thing that pacifies

2. a baby's dummy or teething ring

---

Etymology

Origin of pacifier

First recorded in 1525–35; pacify + -er ¹

Explanation

A pacifier is a soothing device for babies that's made of rubber, silicone, or plastic. If you can picture the cartoon character Maggie Simpson, then you can picture a pacifier. Most infants are born with a strong need to suck, and many of them suck their own thumbs or fingers to soothe themselves. A pacifier works the same way. While some parents and even doctors worry that continuing to use pacifiers too long can damage babies' developing teeth and palates, such problems are actually very rare. The original meaning of pacifier is "anything (or anyone) that pacifies," from the Latin pacificare, "make peace; calm."

Example Sentences

A modified pacifier and AI algorithms to analyze the data it produces could determine if newborns are learning the proper mechanics of nursing, a recent study shows.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

Make sure the crib is empty, other than the baby and perhaps a pacifier.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023

About a third of the kiddos in most classes at the two Seattle area high schools where I teach have just checked out and use them as a pacifier.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

She called herself a "human pacifier" and reluctantly started co-sleeping before realizing she needed to make changes before going back to work.

From Salon • May 12, 2023

I can’t believe Leda left her pink pacifier on the bed.

From "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• arbitrator
• conciliator
• diplomat
• mediator
• negotiator
• pacifist
• peacekeeper