nepenthe

enUK

ne·pen·the

N0060800 (nĭ-pĕn′thē)n.1. A drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief.2. Something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain.
[Alteration of Latin nēpenthes, from Greek nēpenthes (pharmakon), grief-banishing (drug), nepenthe, neuter of nēpenthēs : nē-, not; see ne in Indo-European roots + penthos, grief; see kwent(h)- in Indo-European roots.]
ne·pen′the·an (-thē-ən) adj.

nepenthe

(nɪˈpɛnθɪ) n1. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a drug, or the plant providing it, that ancient writers referred to as a means of forgetting grief or trouble2. anything that produces sleep, forgetfulness, or pleasurable dreaminess[C16: via Latin from Greek nēpenthes sedative made from a herb, from nē- not + penthos grief] neˈpenthean adj

ne•pen•the

(nɪˈpɛn θi)

n., pl. -thes. 1. a drug or drink, or the plant yielding it, mentioned by ancient writers as having the power to bring forgetfulness of sorrow or trouble. 2. anything inducing a pleasurable sensation of forgetfulness, esp. of sorrow or trouble. [1590–1600; < Latin nēpenthes < Greek nēpenthés herb for soothing, n. use of neuter of nēpenthḗs sorrowless =nē- not + -penthēs, adj. derivative of pénth(os) sorrow] ne•pen′the•an, adj.