Soporific: meaning, definitions and examples
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soporific
[ səˈpɔːrəfɪk ]
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.
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
Etymology
The word 'soporific' comes from the Latin word 'sopor', which means 'deep sleep'. The term was adopted into English in the late 18th century during a period of growing interest in pharmacology and medicinal applications. The prefix 'sopor-' indicates the action of inducing sleep, while the suffix '-fic' implies the production of a certain effect. Over time, 'soporific' has been used in both medical and literary contexts, often to describe anything that leads to sleep or drowsiness. In literature, it sometimes carries a pejorative sense, implying dullness or ennui, which can make a narrative feel tedious and consequently induce sleepiness. The evolution of the word reflects our ongoing exploration of substances that affect sleep and consciousness, making it an important term in both clinical and cultural discussions.