French word

anesthésier

Pronunciation

IPA/anɛstezje/

Meaning

  • verbnumb

Example

Le dentiste va anesthésier ma dent.

The dentist is going to numb my tooth.

Illustration for anesthésier (numb)

More examples

Le médecin va anesthésier le patient pour l'opération.

The doctor is going to anesthetize the patient for the operation.

Core concept

A body's sensory volume briefly lowered so that pain signals become faint or absent.

Common phrases

  • anesthésier une dent

    anesthetize a tooth

  • anesthésier quelqu'un

    anesthetize someone

Similar words

engourdir: Temporarily dull sensation in a limb or other part of the body.
endormir: Cause sleep with medication or other stimulation.
paralyser: Stop muscle or nerve function, making movement impossible.

Definition in French

Neutraliser temporairement la sensibilité d'une zone du corps pour empêcher la douleur, souvent par injection ou application locale.

Word origin

French created anesthésier from anesthésie by adding -iser; anesthésie ultimately reflects Greek anaisthēsia, "lack of sensation", borrowed through medical Latin.

Usage tips

  • In figurative use, anesthésier and être anesthésié can describe dulled emotional or sensory responses, so context separates this use from medical anesthesia.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word