somnifacient

American

[som-nuh-fey-shuhnt] / ˌsɒm nəˈfeɪ ʃənt /

adjective

causing or inducing sleep.

noun

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

Etymology

Origin of somnifacient

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

Example Sentences

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somnifacient

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

From Religion And Health by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023