soporific
UK: /ˌsɒp.əˈrɪf.ɪk/ | US: /ˌsoʊ.pəˈrɪf.ɪk/
adj. causing or tending to cause sleep
n. a drug or other substance that induces sleep
soporific = sopor<sleep> + ific<making>
- sopor (from Latin sopor "deep sleep")
- ific (from Latin -ificus "making," derived from facere "to make")
Etymology Origin:
The word soporific traces back to Latin, combining sopor (a term for profound sleep) with -ificus, a suffix meaning "making" or "producing." This logical pairing reflects the word's function: something that "produces sleep." The term entered English in the 17th century, retaining its literal meaning while also gaining figurative use (e.g., describing dullness).
The professor's monotonous lecture had a soporific effect on the students.
Warm milk is often considered a mild soporific.
The soporific hum of the air conditioner lulled her to sleep.
Critics dismissed the film as visually beautiful but soporific.
Some medications have soporific side effects, requiring caution when driving.