English Dictionary

HYPNOTIC

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IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hypnotic mean? 

HYPNOTIC (noun)
  The noun HYPNOTIC has 1 sense:

1. a drug that induces sleepplay

  Familiarity information: HYPNOTIC used as a noun is very rare.


HYPNOTIC (adjective)
  The adjective HYPNOTIC has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to hypnosisplay

2. attracting and holding interest as if by a spellplay

  Familiarity information: HYPNOTIC used as an adjective is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


HYPNOTIC (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

A drug that induces sleep

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

hypnotic; soporific

Hypernyms ("hypnotic" is a kind of...):

drug (a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic)

hypnagogue (an agent that induces drowsiness or sleep)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "hypnotic"):

narcoleptic (a soporific drug that produces an uncontrollable desire to sleep)

sleeping capsule; sleeping draught; sleeping pill; sleeping tablet (a soporific drug in the form of a pill (or tablet or capsule))


HYPNOTIC (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to hypnosis

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

hypnosis (a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Attracting and holding interest as if by a spell

Synonyms:

hypnotic; mesmeric; mesmerizing; spellbinding

Context example:

a spellbinding description of life in ancient Rome

Similar:

attractive (pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm)

Derivation:

hypnosis (a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion)


 Context examples 


A long-acting benzodiazepine with anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic activity.

(Chlordiazepoxide, NCI Thesaurus)

A benzodiazepine derivative with anti-anxiety, sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties.

(Diazepam, NCI Thesaurus)

There was something hypnotic in those terrible eyes.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A triazolo-benzodiazepine derivative with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activities.

(Brotizolam, NCI Thesaurus)

It is a type of imidazopyridine (sedative hypnotic).

(Ambien, NCI Dictionary)

This eventually leads to a hypnotic effect and allows for an induction of sleep.

(Eszopiclone, NCI Thesaurus)

A member of the class of tertiary carbinols with sedative and hypnotic properties.

(Ethchlorvynol, NCI Thesaurus)

As a sedative, hypnotic agent, methaqualone was used for insomnia.

(Methaqualone Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

He had an almost hypnotic power of soothing when he wished.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A sedative, hypnotic agent that was used for insomnia, but was taken off of the market, in the U.S., in 1983 due to its high risk of abuse.

(Methaqualone, NCI Thesaurus)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Measure twice, cut once." (English proverb)

"Make my enemy brave and strong, so that if defeated, I will not be ashamed." (Native American proverb, tribe unknown)

"Complaining is the weak's weapon." (Arabic proverb)

"The vine says to the vintager: "Make me poor, and I will make you rich."" (Corsican proverb)



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