lenitive

[ len-i-tiv ]

adjective

1. softening, soothing, or mitigating, as medicines or applications.
2. mildly laxative.

noun

1. a lenitive medicine or application.
2. a mild laxative.
3. Archaic. anything that softens or soothes.

lenitive

/ ˈlɛnɪtɪv /

adjective

1. soothing or alleviating pain or distress

noun

1. obsolete.
   a lenitive drug

Other Words From

• leni·tive·ly adverb
• leni·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenitive¹

From the Medieval Latin word lēnītīvus, dating back to 1535–45. See lenition, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenitive¹

C16: from Medieval Latin lēnītīvus, from Latin lēnīre to soothe

Example Sentences

And in the hospital of the mind, the lenitive and fostering measures have a still larger share in the work of a moral restoration.

From Project Gutenberg

Playing is sometimes an excellent lenitive to calm the mind, and to smother the ardent fire of love.

From Project Gutenberg

Not in a state of lenitive pain, sanative, and in some degree encouraging, but in a condition of incipient mortification.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• hard drug
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer