somnifacient

[ som-nuh-fey-shuhnt ]

adjective

1. causing or inducing sleep.

noun

1. a drug or other agent that induces or tends to induce sleep.

Word History and Origins

Origin of somnifacient¹

1885–90; < Latin somn(us) “sleep” + -i- -i- + -facient ( def )

Example Sentences

The consciousness of having relieved the necessities of others is probably the best appetizer and somnifacient that we have.

From Project Gutenberg