Lenitive

Origin

From Late Latin lenitivus, from Latin lenitus

Full definition of lenitive

Adjective

1. Analgesic, able to reduce pain or suffering.
2. (of a person) Mild; gentle.

Noun

1. An analgesic or other source of relief from pain
• 1688, David Hume, The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I, Part E Chapter , It is now full time to free him from all these necessities, and to apply cordials and lenitives, after those severities which have already had their full course against him.
• 1825, Samuel Johnson, The Works of Samuel Johnson in Nine Volumes Chapter , Upon the whole, as the author seems to share all the common miseries of life, he appears to partake likewise of its lenitives and abatements.
• 1899, Alexander Pope, The Iliad of Homer Chapter , Their pain soft arts of pharmacy can ease, Thy breast alone no lenitives appease.