SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sedative-hypnotic mean? 

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

1. a sedative that depresses activity of the central nervous system and reduces anxiety and induces sleep

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

 Dictionary entry details 

• SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sedative that depresses activity of the central nervous system and reduces anxiety and induces sleep

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

sedative-hypnotic; sedative-hypnotic drug

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

depressant; downer; sedative; sedative drug (a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person)

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

barbiturate (organic compound having powerful soporific effect; overdose can be fatal)

ethchlorvynol; Placidyl (a mild sedative-hypnotic drug (trade name Placidyl))

methaqualone; Quaalude (sedative-hypnotic drug (trade name Quaalude) that is a drug of abuse)

thalidomide (a sedative and hypnotic drug; withdrawn from sale after discovered to cause severe birth defects because it inhibits angiogenesis)

antianxiety agent; ataractic; ataractic agent; ataractic drug; tranquilizer; tranquilliser; tranquillizer (a drug used to reduce stress or tension without reducing mental clarity)

 Context examples 

A triazolobenzodiazepine agent with anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic and anticonvulsant activities.

(Alprazolam, NCI Thesaurus)