anesthetic

Alternative forms

• anaesthetic (UK)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀναίσθητος (anaísthētos, “insensible”), from ἀν- (an-, “un-”) + αἰσθητικός (aisthētikós, “perceptible”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌænəsˈθɛtɪk/

Adjective

anesthetic (comparative more anesthetic, superlative most anesthetic)

1. (American) Reducing pain sensitivity.

Noun

anesthetic (plural anesthetics)

1. (American, medicine) A substance administered to reduce the perception of pain or to induce numbness. An anesthetic may or may not render the recipient unconscious, depending upon the type used.
   • 1994, Anesthetics (Ophthalmic) (original version), Drugs.com:

     After a local anesthetic is applied to the eye, do not rub or wipe the eye until the anesthetic has worn off and feeling in the eye returns.

   • 2004, Jacoby, David B. and Youngson, R. M., Encyclopedia of Family Health, Marshall Cavendish, pg. 91.

     Modern anesthetics can be divided into several different groups according to how and where they act to reduce pain.

     During premedication, the anesthetist may give a patient drugs that make him or her feel relaxed and drowsy before the actual general anesthetic is administered.

Anagrams

• chainettes, entheastic