Anxiolytic

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌeɪŋziəˈlɪtɪk/

Definitions

1. A medication or substance that reduces anxiety and promotes calmness in individuals experiencing stress or nervousness
2. A type of drug or compound designed to alleviate anxiety and help induce a sense of relaxation in people suffering from mental distress or agitation
3. A category of pharmaceuticals aimed at diminishing anxiety levels while aiding in the relaxation of those undergoing emotional strain or discomfort

Etymology: Anxiolytic is built from two parts: "anxio-", from the Latin "anxius" meaning troubled or uneasy, and "-lytic", from the Greek "lytikos", meaning able to loosen or dissolve. Put together, the word describes something that loosens anxiety, a literal picture of unknotting a tight worry. The "-lytic" ending appears in other scientific terms, such as "analytic" and "catalytic," where the core idea is breaking something apart or releasing it. Pharmacology borrowed the pattern in the same way, so a drug that dissolves unease in the mind joins a family of words describing things that break down or set free. The word works as both a noun, naming the drug class, and an adjective, describing a substance or effect that reduces anxiety.

Synonyms: anti-anxiety, tranquilizer