Sedative \Sed"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. s['e]datif.]
   Tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize; specifically
   (Med.), allaying irritability and irritation; assuaging pain.
   [1913 Webster]

	

	Sedative \Sed"a*tive\, n. (Med.)
   A remedy which allays irritability and irritation, and
   irritative activity or pain.
   [1913 Webster]

	

	sedative
    adj 1: tending to soothe or tranquilize; "valium has a
           tranquilizing effect"; "took a hot drink with sedative
           properties before going to bed" [syn: ataractic,
           ataraxic, sedative, tranquilizing,
           tranquillizing, tranquilising, tranquillising]
    n 1: a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person [syn:
         sedative, sedative drug, depressant, downer]

	

	23 Moby Thesaurus words for "sedative":
   Mickey Finn, allaying, anodyne, balm, barbiturate, calmant,
   calmative, calming, depressant, depressing, downer, hypnotic,
   lenitive, narcotic, opiate, pacifier, relaxing, sleep-inducing,
   sleeping, sleeping pill, soothing, soporific, tranquilizer