nepenthe

views updated May 11 2018

nepenthe drug supposed to banish grief or trouble from the mind XVI; plant yielding the drug XVII. alt., after It. nepente, of nepenthes (XVI) — L. nēpenthes — Gr. nēpenthés, n. of nēpenthēs banishing pain, f. nē- (see NO2) + pénthos grief (see PATHOS).

nepenthes

views updated Jun 11 2018

nepenthes a drug described in Homer's Odyssey as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind; the name may thus be applied to any drug or potion bringing welcome forgetfulness.

Nepenthes

views updated Jun 27 2018

Nepenthes See NEPENTHACEAE.