Analgesic: meaning, definitions and examples
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analgesic
[ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk ]
Definitions
medical treatment
A medication used to relieve pain.
Synonyms
pain reliever, painkiller.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| analgesic |
Used in medical or formal contexts to describe a drug that relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness.
|
| painkiller |
Informally used to describe strong medication that reduces or eliminates severe pain, sometimes associated with stronger or prescription medications.
|
| pain reliever |
Commonly used in everyday language to describe any medication that reduces or eliminates pain.
|
Examples of usage
- She took an analgesic for her headache.
- The doctor prescribed an analgesic for the patient's back pain.
describing medication
Relating to or acting as a pain reliever.
Synonyms
pain-reducing, pain-relieving.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| analgesic |
Commonly used in medical contexts to refer to medications or treatments that relieve pain. Suitable for use by healthcare professionals or in discussions about medical treatments.
|
| pain-relieving |
Similar to 'pain-reducing,' but specifically implies the action of making pain go away or alleviating it. It is often used when talking about specific products or techniques designed to relieve pain.
|
| pain-reducing |
Typically used in more general or informal settings to describe methods or treatments that lower the intensity of pain. It is more colloquial than 'analgesic' and can be understood by a broader audience.
|
Examples of usage
- The analgesic properties of the medication help alleviate discomfort.
- The analgesic effect of the drug was evident within minutes.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Greek roots: 'an-' meaning 'without' and 'algos' meaning 'pain'.
- The term was first used in the early 19th century to describe a class of pain-relieving drugs.
Medical Usage
- Common analgesics include over-the-counter options like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which are used for headaches, body aches, and fever.
- Prescription analgesics, such as opioids, are used for more severe pain but carry risks of addiction and side effects.
Pop Culture
- Analgesics are frequently mentioned in movies and TV shows, particularly in medical dramas where doctors treat patients in pain.
- Many characters may be seen taking pain relievers after physical injuries in sports movies, highlighting their relief role.
Historical Perspective
- Ancient civilizations used natural remedies found in plants, such as willow bark and poppy, that contained analgesic properties long before modern medicine.
- In 1899, a major advancement occurred with the introduction of aspirin, which became one of the earliest and most popular analgesics.
Psychology
- Research shows that the expectation of pain relief can enhance the effectiveness of analgesics, linking mental state to physical sensation.
- The placebo effect, where patients feel relief without actual medication, highlights how belief influences pain perception.
Translations
Translations of the word "analgesic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 analgésico
🇮🇳 दर्द निवारक
🇩🇪 Analgetikum
🇮🇩 analgesik
🇺🇦 анальгетик
🇵🇱 środek przeciwbólowy
🇯🇵 鎮痛剤
🇫🇷 analgésique
🇪🇸 analgésico
🇹🇷 analjezik
🇰🇷 진통제
🇸🇦 مسكن
🇨🇿 analgetikum
🇸🇰 analgetikum
🇨🇳 镇痛剂
🇸🇮 analgetik
🇮🇸 verkjalyf
🇰🇿 ауырсынуды басатын дәрі
🇬🇪 ანალგეზიკი
🇦🇿 ağrıkəsici
🇲🇽 analgésico
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #17,978, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 17975 dusted
- 17976 sedition
- 17977 grapefruit
- 17978 analgesic
- 17979 friar
- 17980 portraying
- 17981 rebuked
- ...