novocaine

noun

no·​vo·​caine ˈnō-və-ˌkān How to pronounce novocaine (audio)
: procaine in the form of its hydrochloride
broadly : a local anesthetic

Examples of novocaine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Richardson is stuck at the dentist—an emergency entailing novocaine, painkillers, the works. Maya Singer, Vogue, 9 July 2024 The anesthetic took effect almost immediately, and can be described as similar to but much stronger than getting novocaine at the dentist. Taryn Brooke, Allure, 7 July 2023 Will Kramer’s novocaine from dental surgery ever wear off? Larry Fitzmaurice, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'novocaine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Novocain, originally a trade name, from Latin novus new entry 1 + German -o- -o- + -cain (in Cocain cocaine)

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of novocaine was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near novocaine

Cite this Entry

“Novocaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/novocaine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

novocaine

noun
no·​vo·​caine ˈnō-və-ˌkān How to pronounce novocaine (audio)
: a form of procaine
also : an anesthetic that is applied to and acts on only a small part of the body
Etymology

novo-, from Latin novus "new" and cocaine

Medical Definition

novocaine

noun
no·​vo·​caine -ˌkān How to pronounce novocaine (audio)
: procaine in the form of its hydrochloride
broadly : a local anesthetic
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