sedative

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sedative
    adj 1: tending to soothe or tranquilize; "valium has a
           tranquilizing effect"; "took a hot drink with sedative
           properties before going to bed" [syn: {ataractic},
           {ataraxic}, {sedative}, {tranquilizing},
           {tranquillizing}, {tranquilising}, {tranquillising}]
    n 1: a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person [syn:
         {sedative}, {sedative drug}, {depressant}, {downer}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sedative \Sed"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. s['e]datif.]
   Tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize; specifically
   (Med.), allaying irritability and irritation; assuaging pain.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sedative \Sed"a*tive\, n. (Med.)
   A remedy which allays irritability and irritation, and
   irritative activity or pain.
   [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

23 Moby Thesaurus words for "sedative":
      Mickey Finn, allaying, anodyne, balm, barbiturate, calmant,
      calmative, calming, depressant, depressing, downer, hypnotic,
      lenitive, narcotic, opiate, pacifier, relaxing, sleep-inducing,
      sleeping, sleeping pill, soothing, soporific, tranquilizer

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