Obtundents

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of agent or substance that diminishes sensitivity or alleviates pain, commonly used in medical or therapeutic contexts
2. Agents that serve to reduce the intensity of sensations or feelings, particularly in pain management or sedation
3. Substances that act to dull or soothe discomfort, aiding in the relief of various forms of suffering or irritation

Etymology: "Obtundents" is the plural of "obtundent", which comes from Latin "obtundens", the present participle of "obtundere". That verb is built from "ob-", meaning "against" or "toward", and "tundere", meaning "to beat" or "to strike", so its literal sense is to beat against something until it is dulled. The same image of blunting by repeated blows lies behind its later meanings: a dull blade, a dulled sense, a dulled feeling. English took the idea over as a technical term for substances that blunt sensation, the kind of agent a physician or anaesthetist might use to take the edge off pain or to calm a patient. The plural form refers to a whole class of such agents, all understood as things that wear down the force of a sensation rather than removing it outright.