Agency Dictionary
Anesthetize
verbPronunciation: /əˈnes.θə.taɪz/
In Portuguese: Anestesiar
Psychology & Mind
Science & HealthWhat does “Anesthetize” mean?
To administer an anesthetic to eliminate physical feeling, or figuratively to numb emotional or critical awareness.
Etymology
Formed in English from Greek anaisthetos, "without feeling", with the verb ending -ize. The Greek word joins an- ("without") and aisthesis ("sensation"), from aisthanesthai ("to perceive"). The words anaesthesia and anaesthetic took their surgical sense in the 1840s, when ether came into use in operations, and the verb followed soon after. The figurative sense of dulling the feelings or the judgment grew from the medical one. Anaesthetise is the British spelling.
Usage note
American English writes anesthetize; British English writes anaesthetise or anaesthetize. The figurative use is common in criticism of media and politics.
Synonyms
- numb
- deaden
- dull
- sedate
- desensitize
- stupefy
Often confused with
- sedate
- To sedate is to calm or make drowsy with a drug; to anesthetize is to remove sensation, in part of the body or in all of it.
Word family
- anesthesia
- anesthetic
- anesthetist
- anesthesiology
- anesthetization
Usage examples
Most of the entertainment we consume today is made to anesthetize us.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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