In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
LENITIVE
alleviative, alleviatory, lenitive, mitigative, mitigatory, palliative
(adjective) moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear
lenitive
(noun) remedy that eases pain and discomfort
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
lenitive (comparative more lenitive, superlative most lenitive)
Analgesic, able to reduce pain or suffering.
Laxative; easing the bowels.
(of a person) Mild; gentle.
Noun
lenitive (plural lenitives)
An analgesic or other source of relief from pain
A laxative.
Source: Wiktionary
Len"i*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. lénitif. See Lenient.]
Definition: Having the quality of softening or mitigating, as pain or acrimony; assuasive; emollient.
Len"i*tive, n. Etym: [Cf. F. lénitif.]
1. (Med.) (a) A medicine or application that has the quality of easing pain or protecting from the action of irritants. (b) A mild purgative; a laxative.
2. That which softens or mitigates; that which tends to allay passion, excitement, or pain; a palliative. There is one sweet Lenitive at least for evils, which Nature holds out; so I took it kindly at her hands, and fell asleep. Sterne.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
4 February 2025
DISKETTE
(noun) a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer; “floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price”
Coffee Trivia
