anodyne

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of relieving pain

   The anodyne properties of certain drugs.

2. 2
   adj

   Soothing or relaxing.

   Classical music is rather anodyne.

From Middle English anodine, from Medieval Latin anōdynos (“stilling or relieving pain”), from Ancient Greek ἀνώδυνος (anṓdunos, “free from pain”), from ἀν- (an-, “without”) + ὀδύνη (odúnē, “pain”). Adjective sense “noncontentious” probably through French anodin (“harmless, trivial”), of same origin.

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