nepenthe

SYLLABICATION: ne·pen·the

NOUN: 1. A drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief.
2. Something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain.

ETYMOLOGY: Alteration of Latin népenthes, from Greek népenthes (pharmakon ), grief-banishing (drug), nepenthe, neuter of népenthés : né, not; see ne in Appendix I + penthos, grief; see kwent(h)- in Appendix I.

OTHER FORMS: ne·penthe·an --ADJECTIVE

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