psychoactive
|psy/cho/ac/tive|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌsaɪkoʊˈæktɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˌsaɪkəʊˈæktɪv/
mind-affecting
Etymology
Etymology Information
'psychoactive' originates from the Greek word 'psyche,' meaning 'mind,' and the Latin word 'activus,' meaning 'active.'
Historical Evolution
'psychoactive' evolved from the combination of 'psyche' and 'active' to describe substances affecting the mind.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any substance affecting the mind, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
affecting the mind or behavior, especially by altering the brain's chemical balance.
Caffeine is a psychoactive substance that can improve alertness.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/18 16:15