anti-anxiety
|an-ti-an-xi-e-ty|
/ˌæn.ti.æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/
against anxiety; reduces worry
Etymology
'anti-anxiety' originates from Modern English, specifically the combining form 'anti-' (from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against') and 'anxiety' (from Latin 'anxietas').
'anti-' comes from Greek 'antí' meaning 'against'; 'anxiety' developed from Latin 'anxietas' (from 'anxius', from 'angere' meaning 'to choke or squeeze'), passed into Old French (anxiété) and Middle English before becoming modern English 'anxiety'. The compound 'anti-anxiety' was formed in modern English by joining 'anti-' + 'anxiety'.
Initially it literally meant 'against anxiety' (i.e., opposing anxiety); over time it came to be used primarily to describe drugs, treatments, or qualities that reduce or prevent anxiety.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent (usually a drug) that reduces or prevents anxiety; an anxiolytic.
After the diagnosis, he was prescribed an anti-anxiety to help him sleep.
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Adjective 1
designed to reduce, prevent, or relieve anxiety; relating to drugs or treatments that lessen anxiety.
She was given an anti-anxiety medication before the procedure.
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Last updated: 2025/10/15 12:53