HYPNOTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hypnotic mean? 

• HYPNOTIC (noun)
  The noun HYPNOTIC has 1 sense:

1. a drug that induces sleep

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

• HYPNOTIC (adjective)
  The adjective HYPNOTIC has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to hypnosis

2. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell

  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)