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.

Simplified etymology

Anodyne entered English in the mid-16th century through Latin from Greek anōdunos, meaning “painless.” The Greek word combines an-, “without,” and odunē, “pain.”

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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External links

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