sleeping-draught
Definition
Noun: A "sleeping-draught" is a liquid medicine or potion taken to induce sleep, typically used historically or in literary contexts to describe a soporific drink.
Usage Examples
- (A medicinal drink to help someone fall asleep.)
- (A potion causing deep, prolonged sleep.)
- (A homemade sedative beverage.)
Advanced Usage
"to administer a sleeping-draught": to give someone a liquid sedative.
- The nurse administered a sleeping-draught to the anxious patient before the surgery. (The nurse gave a calming drink to help the patient rest.)
"to be under the influence of a sleeping-draught": to be in a state of induced sleep caused by the draught.
- The guard was found unconscious, clearly under the influence of a sleeping-draught. (The guard was asleep due to a drugged drink.)
Variants and Related Words
Sleeping-draught (n): the standard form; also spelled sleeping draught (without hyphen).
- He ordered a sleeping draught from the apothecary. (He requested a sedative drink from the pharmacist.)
Draught (n): a single act of drinking; also a liquid dose of medicine.
- She took a long draught of water. (She drank a large amount in one go.)
Sleeping (adj): relating to or inducing sleep.
- The sleeping chamber was dimly lit. (The bedroom was dark and quiet.)
Synonyms
- Soporific: a substance that induces sleep.
- Sedative: a drug that calms and promotes sleep.
- Potion: a liquid mixture with medicinal or magical properties (often used for sleep).
Related Idioms
To take a sleeping-draught (archaic): to consume a sedative drink.
- Before the long journey, he took a sleeping-draught to ensure a restful night. (He drank a sleep-inducing beverage.)
To slip someone a sleeping-draught: to secretly administer a sedative to someone.
- The villain slipped a sleeping-draught into the hero's wine. (The villain secretly drugged the hero's drink.)