Main Entry: ne·pen·the

Pronunciation: \nə-ˈpen(t)-thē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin nepenthes, from Greek nēpenthes, neuter of nēpenthēs banishing pain and sorrow, from nē- not + penthos grief, sorrow; akin to Greek pathos suffering — more at no, pathos

Date: 1577

1 : a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow
2 : something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering

— ne·pen·the·an \-thē-ən\ adjective