anodynic
|an-o-dy-nic|
/ˌænəˈdɪnɪk/
soothing; not causing pain
Etymology
'anodynic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anodynos', where 'an-' meant 'not' and 'odynē' meant 'pain'.
'anodynic' changed from Medieval Latin 'anodynus' (from Greek 'anodynos') and entered English via Late Latin/French forms such as 'anodine', eventually becoming the modern English adjective 'anodynic'.
Initially, it meant 'not causing pain' or 'relieving pain', but over time it also came to be used figuratively to mean 'soothing' or 'inoffensive'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relieving pain; having the quality of an analgesic.
The doctor prescribed an anodynic ointment to ease the patient's muscle pain.
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Adjective 2
soothing or inoffensive in effect; unlikely to provoke strong feelings or controversy.
Her speech was anodynic, designed to calm both sides rather than to inflame them.
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Last updated: 2025/08/17 10:36