mindmap root((忘忧)) anodyne usually suggests something that soothes or calms often by inducing forgetfulness or oblivion: the ~ of religious fervor. opiate implies a substance that causes a dream state and a delusional happiness and suggests an indifference or false sense of security or well-being: price supports that are ~ for distressed industries. narcotic applies to something that literally or figuratively produces sleep, stupor or lulling drowsiness: beautiful music used as a ~ to escape from the pressures of work. nepenthe connotes something sweet and pleasurable that is substituted for something painful: the ~ of rest after a hard day's work. anodyne may be applied to any agent used to relieve pain whether by dulling the perception of pain or by altering the situation and has a literary rather than a medical connotation: took a long, hard walk as an ~ for disappointment. analgesic applies especially to a medical preparation used locally or systematically to dull the sensation of pain: used liniment as an ~ for stiff joints. anesthetic implies a medical agent that causes insensibilities to pain and other sensations either locally or generally: given an ~ by the dentist before her tooth was pulled.