lenitive

English

Etymology

From Late Latin lenitivus, from Latin lenitus.

Adjective

lenitive (comparative more lenitive, superlative most lenitive)

1. Analgesic, able to reduce pain or suffering.
2. Laxative; easing the bowels.
3. (of a person) Mild; gentle.

Noun

lenitive (plural lenitives)

1. An analgesic or other source of relief from pain
   • 1688, David Hume, The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I, Part E‎^[1]:

     It is now full time to free him from all these necessities, and to apply cordials and lenitives, after those severities which have already had their full course against him.

   • 1825, Samuel Johnson, The Works of Samuel Johnson in Nine Volumes‎^[2]:

     Upon the whole, as the author seems to share all the common miseries of life, he appears to partake likewise of its lenitives and abatements.

   • 1899, Alexander Pope, The Iliad of Homer‎^[3]:

     Their pain soft arts of pharmacy can ease, Thy breast alone no lenitives appease.

2. A laxative.

Italian

Adjective

lenitive

1. feminine plural of lenitivo