noun
sedative
SEH-duh-tihv
noun
1
A drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
"The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep."
adj
1
Having a calming or sleep-inducing effect.
"Chamomile tea is often said to have a sedative effect."
How to Use Sedative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (usually a drug) that calms you down or helps you sleep.
Common pairings
take a sedative
sedative effect
mild sedative
Word Forms
more sedative comparative, sedatives plural, most sedative superlative
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The doctor prescribed a mild _____ to help her sleep.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin sedativus, from the same root as "sedate" — Latin sedare, "to calm."