hypnotic

views updated May 21 2018

hyp·not·ic / hipˈnätik/ • adj. 1. of, producing, or relating to hypnosis: a hypnotic state. ∎  exerting a compelling, fascinating, or soporific effect: her voice had a hypnotic quality.2. Med. (of a drug) sleep-inducing.• n. 1. Med. a sleep-inducing drug.2. a person under or open to the influence of hypnotism.DERIVATIVES: hyp·not·i·cal·ly / -(ə)lē/ adv.

hypnotic

views updated May 18 2018

hypnotic
A. soporific XVII;

B. pert. to hypnotism XIX. — F. hypnotique — late L. hypnōticus — Gr. hupnōtikós narcotic, f. hupnoûn put to sleep, f. húpnos sleep; see -IC.
Hence hypnotism, hypnotist, hypnotize XIX.

hypnotic

views updated May 23 2018

hypnotic (soporific) (hip-not-ik) n. a drug that produces sleep by depressing brain function and is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Hypnotics include benzodiazepines (e.g. nitrazepam, lorazepam) and drugs that act at benzodiazepine receptor sites, such as zolpidem (Stilnoct) and zopiclone (Zimovane). Some hypnotics (e.g. nitrazepam, flurazepam) cause hangover effects in the morning.