Word of the Day
: November 7, 2021soporific
play
adjective
sah-puh-RIFF-ik
What It Means
Soporific means "causing sleep."
// Studies show that the herb has a soporific effect.
soporific in Context
"Relying on repetition and rhyme, the text generates a gentle, soporific cadence as the little lions progress homeward…. The painterly, realistic illustrations create the feel of approaching night…." — Kirkus Reviews, 1 Oct. 2021
Did You Know?
Soporific comes from Latin sopor, which means "deep sleep." That root is related to somnus, the Latin word for "sleep." Despite its meaning, somnus has been active, giving English somnolence (sleepiness), somnambulism (sleepwalking), and many other "sleepy" words.
More Words of the Day
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May 02
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Apr 30
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furtive
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Apr 28
alacrity
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Apr 27
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Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged