Anesthetic: meaning, definitions and examples
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anesthetic
[ ˌæn.ə'sθɛt.ɪk ]
medical use
An anesthetic is a substance that induces insensitivity to pain. It is primarily used in medical procedures to prevent discomfort. Anesthetics can be applied locally, in which case they numb a specific area, or they can be administered systemically, leading to a loss of consciousness. They are crucial in surgeries to ensure patients do not feel pain during operations.
Synonyms
anesthesia, narcotic, pain reliever, sedative
Examples of usage
- The surgeon administered an anesthetic before starting the operation.
- Local anesthetics are commonly used in dental procedures.
- The anesthetic wore off after a couple of hours.
- She was nervous about receiving general anesthetic for her surgery.
Translations
Translations of the word "anesthetic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 anestésico
🇮🇳 एनस्थेटिक
🇩🇪 Anästhetikum
🇮🇩 anestesi
🇺🇦 анестетик
🇵🇱 środek znieczulający
🇯🇵 麻酔薬
🇫🇷 anesthésique
🇪🇸 anestésico
🇹🇷 anestezik
🇰🇷 마취제
🇸🇦 مخدر
🇨🇿 anestetikum
🇸🇰 anestetikum
🇨🇳 麻醉药
🇸🇮 anestezik
🇮🇸 aðgerðalyf
🇰🇿 анестетик
🇬🇪 ანესთეზია
🇦🇿 anestezik
🇲🇽 anestésico
Etymology
The term 'anesthetic' originates from the Greek word 'anaisthesis', meaning 'lack of sensation'. The prefix 'an-' signifies 'without', while 'aisthesis' relates to sense or perception. The first use of anesthetics in medicine dates back to the mid-19th century, with the introduction of ether and nitrous oxide as agents for inducing unconsciousness during surgery. These developments significantly revolutionized surgery by allowing for pain-free operations, and the field of anesthesia has continued to evolve over the years with the introduction of various anesthetic agents and the establishment of anesthesia as a recognized medical specialty.