anodyne
UK: ˈæn.ə.daɪn | US: ˈæn.ə.daɪn
adj. relieving pain or distress
n. a medicine or agent that relieves pain
adj. bland or inoffensive
The word "anodyne" originates from Greek anōdynos (ἀνώδυνος), combining the prefix an- (without) and odynē (pain). It entered English via Latin anodynus in the 16th century, initially referring to pain-relieving medicines. Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe anything soothing or non-controversial. The morpheme odyne is also seen in medical terms like "odynophagia" (painful swallowing).
The doctor prescribed an anodyne to ease her headache.
His speech was deliberately anodyne to avoid offending anyone.
The music had an anodyne effect on her frayed nerves.
Critics dismissed the film as an anodyne attempt at storytelling.
Traditional herbal anodynes were used before modern analgesics.