Word of the Day

: November 18, 2007

lenitive

adjective LEN-uh-tiv

What It Means

: alleviating pain or harshness : soothing

lenitive in Context

Ryan's mother insisted that a steaming cup of herbal tea would have a lenitive effect on his stomachache.

Did You Know?

"Lenitive" first appeared in English in the 15th century. It derived from the Latin verb "lenire" ("to soften or soothe"), which was itself formed from the adjective "lenis," meaning "soft" or "mild." "Lenire" also gave us the adjective "lenient," which usually means "tolerant" or "indulgent" today but in its original sense carried the meaning of "relieving pain or stress." Often found in medical contexts, "lenitive" can also be a noun referring to a treatment (such as a salve) with soothing or healing properties.