anesthetic

or an·aes·thet·ic

[ an-uhs-thet-ik ]

noun

1. a substance that produces anesthesia, as halothane, procaine, or ether.

adjective

1. pertaining to or causing physical insensibility:

   an anesthetic gas.

2. physically insensitive:

   Halothane is used to produce an anesthetic state.

anesthetic

/ ˌænɪsˈθɛtɪk /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of anaesthetic

anesthetic

/ ăn′ĭs-thĕt′ĭk /

1. A drug that temporarily depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.

anesthetic

1. A substance that causes loss of sensation or consciousness. With the aid of an anesthetic, people can undergo surgery without pain. ( See general anesthetic and local anesthetic .)

Other Words From

• anes·theti·cal·ly adverb
• nonan·es·thetic adjective noun
• postan·es·thetic adjective
• semi·anes·thetic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anesthetic¹

1840–50, Americanism; < Greek anaísthēt ( os ) without feeling, senseless + -ic; an- ¹, aesthetic

Example Sentences

Ketamine, an anesthetic administered through infusions that can have psychedelic properties, has been hailed as a life-saving treatment for some patients.

From Salon

Ketamine is a legal medication commonly used as an anesthetic, but is also abused recreationally for its calming and dissociative effects.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, its high volume of ketamine, a potent anesthetic already skyrocketing as a prescription medication as well as surging in misuse, is responsible for its dissociative and psychedelic effects.

From Los Angeles Times

One of two doctors charged with supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegally distributing the surgical anesthetic.

From Los Angeles Times

Five people — two doctors, an alleged drug dealer known as “Ketamine Queen,” a former film director and Perry’s live-in assistant — have been charged in a conspiracy to distribute ketamine, an anesthetic, to the actor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• opiate