Soporific: meaning, definitions and examples
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soporific
[səˈpɔːrəfɪk ]
Definitions
inducing sleep
The term 'soporific' refers to substances or actions that induce sleep or drowsiness. It's often used in a medical context to describe medications that have a sedative effect. Soporifics can also refer to environments or activities that promote relaxation to the point of sleep. The word might be used in literature to describe the effect of a book or poem as particularly dull or monotonous, causing the reader to feel sleepy.
Synonyms
calming, drowsy, sedative, sleep-inducing.
Examples of usage
- The soporific effects of the medicine helped him sleep through the night.
- She found the lecture to be soporific, struggling to stay awake.
- Warm milk is often considered a soporific drink before bedtime.
- The soothing music had a soporific effect on the audience.
sleep inducer
'Soporific' as a noun refers to a substance that induces sleep. This can include various types of medications or even natural remedies like certain herbs. In a broader sense, it can also apply to anything that causes drowsiness. People often discuss soporifics in the context of insomnia treatments or sleep aids.
Synonyms
drowsy agent, sedative, sleep aid.
Examples of usage
- Some herbal teas are known to act as soporifics.
- She took a soporific before her flight to help her rest.
- Doctors prescribe soporifics to patients suffering from severe insomnia.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'sopor', which means 'deep sleep'.
- It was first used in English in the early 17th century, often in medical contexts.
- The suffix '-ific' indicates causing or producing, so it literally refers to causing sleep.
Medicine
- Soporific substances are often used in medicine to treat insomnia or anxiety.
- Common soporifics include certain prescription medications like benzodiazepines.
- Natural soporifics can include herbal teas, such as chamomile or valerian root.
Culture
- In literature, a soporific story is one that’s so dull it puts readers to sleep.
- Some music genres, like ambient or classical, are considered soporific because they help listeners relax.
- Certain colors and lighting in environments, such as soft blues and low lights, can create soporific atmospheres.
Psychology
- Soporific effects can be linked to mental states; stress relief techniques can enhance restorative sleep.
- Relaxation practices, like mindfulness or meditation, serve as natural soporifics by reducing anxiety.
- The ritual of reading before bed can transform regular stories into soporific experiences.
Science
- Research shows that sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive functions.
- Certain chemicals in the brain, like GABA, are involved in the sleep-promoting effect of soporifics.
- Tiredness often results from a buildup of adenosine in the brain, which soporific substances can help alleviate.
Translations
Translations of the word "soporific" in other languages:
🇵🇹 soporífico
🇮🇳 नींद लाने वाला
🇩🇪 schläfrig
🇮🇩 mengantukkan
🇺🇦 снодійний
🇵🇱 sennotwórczy
🇯🇵 催眠の
🇫🇷 soporifique
🇪🇸 soporífico
🇹🇷 uyku getirici
🇰🇷 최면의
🇸🇦 مسبب للنوم
🇨🇿 uspávající
🇸🇰 usínajúci
🇨🇳 催眠的
🇸🇮 uspavalni
🇮🇸 sofnandi
🇰🇿 ұйықтататын
🇬🇪 ძილის მომგვრელი
🇦🇿 yuxulatan
🇲🇽 soporífico