Word: Anaesthetize (also spelled "anesthetize" in American English)
Definition:
To anaesthetize means to give a patient a special medicine (called an anesthetic) that makes them unable to feel pain. This is usually done before a surgery or medical procedure so that the patient does not feel anything during the operation.
Usage Instructions:
- Verb form: It is used as a verb, meaning it describes an action performed by someone (usually a doctor or nurse). - You can use it in different tenses, like "anaesthetized" (past tense) or "anaesthetizing" (present participle).
Examples:
1. "The doctor will anaesthetize you before the surgery to ensure you don’t feel any pain." 2. "They anaesthetized the gum before extracting the teeth so the patient wouldn’t feel discomfort."
Advanced Usage:
In a medical context, anaesthetizing can be very specific, referring to different methods, such as local anaesthesia (numbing a small area) or general anaesthesia (putting the patient to sleep).
Word Variants:
- Anaesthesia (British English) / Anesthesia (American English): The noun form that refers to the state of being anaesthetized. - Anaesthetist (British English) / Anesthetist (American English): A medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia.
Different Meaning:
While the primary meaning is medical, "anaesthetize" can also be used metaphorically to describe making someone emotionally numb or indifferent to something. For example: "The constant bad news can anaesthetize people to the suffering around them."
Synonyms:
- Numb - Sedate - Calm - Insensitize
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "anaesthetize," but you might hear phrases like: - "Take the edge off" – which means to reduce pain or discomfort, often used in a more casual context.