anodine
|an-o-dine|
🇺🇸
/ˈænəˌdaɪn, ˈænəˌdiːn/
🇬🇧
/ˈænədaɪn, ˈænədiːn/
soothing; not causing pain or offense
Etymology
'anodine' originates from French, specifically the word 'anodine', which ultimately comes from Greek 'anōdunos' (ἀνώδυνος), where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'odynē' meant 'pain'.
'anodine' changed from Greek 'ἀνώδυνος' (anōdunos) into Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms such as 'anodyneum' and then into French 'anodine/anodyne', and eventually entered English as 'anodyne'/'anodine'.
Initially, it meant 'not painful' or 'relieving pain'; over time it broadened to include the sense 'soothing' or 'inoffensive' in general, and can now mean both 'pain-relieving' and 'bland/harmless.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a medicine or agent that relieves pain; something that soothes or calms.
After a long day she took an anodine to ease the headache.
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Adjective 1
not likely to provoke strong feelings or reactions; bland, inoffensive.
The editorial was intentionally anodine, avoiding any controversial statements.
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Adjective 2
(literary or medical) Serving to relieve pain or soothe; analgesic or calming.
She found the music anodine, a gentle relief from her anxiety.
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Last updated: 2025/08/17 09:37