nepenthes

[ ni-pen-theez ]
/ nɪˈpɛn θiz /

noun, plural ne·pen·thes.

nepenthe.
any of various tropical Asian and Australian pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes, having leaves usually in the form of cylindrical tubes.

Origin of nepenthes

From New Latin; see origin at nepenthe

Words nearby nepenthes

nepal, nepalese, nepali, nepean, nepenthe, nepenthes, neper, nepeta, neph-, nephanalysis, nephele

Definition for nepenthes (2 of 2)

nepenthe
[ ni-pen-thee ]
/ nɪˈpɛn θi /

noun

a drug or drink, or the plant yielding it, mentioned by ancient writers as having the power to bring forgetfulness of sorrow or trouble.
anything inducing a pleasurable sensation of forgetfulness, especially of sorrow or trouble.

Origin of nepenthe

1590–1600; < Latin nēpenthes < Greek nēpenthés herb for soothing, noun use of neuter of nēpenthḗs sorrowless, equivalent to nē- not + pénth(os) sorrow + -ēs adj. suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM nepenthe

ne·pen·the·an, adjective

Words related to nepenthes

anesthetic, opium, painkiller, dope, sedative, opiate, tranquilizer, heroin, merchandise, junk, fix, hypnotic, soporific, stuff, analgesic, anodyne, downer, lenitive, laudanum, somnifacient

Example sentences from the Web for nepenthes

British Dictionary definitions for nepenthes

nepenthe
/ (nɪˈpɛnθɪ) /

noun

a drug, or the plant providing it, that ancient writers referred to as a means of forgetting grief or trouble
anything that produces sleep, forgetfulness, or pleasurable dreaminess

Derived forms of nepenthe

nepenthean, adjective

Word Origin for nepenthe

C16: via Latin from Greek nēpenthes sedative made from a herb, from nē- not + penthos grief