nepenthes

English

Etymology

From Latin nēpenthes, from Ancient Greek νηπενθές (“sorrow-banishing”) (neuter), from νη- (“not”) + πένθος (“grief”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /nɪˈpɛnθiːz/

Noun

nepenthes (uncountable)

1. A drug referred to in Homer's Odyssey as bringing relief from anxiety or grief; hence, any substance seen as bringing welcome forgetfulness or relief.
   • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.2.4:

     For [...] 'tis the best nepenthes, surest cordial, sweetest alterative, presentest diverter [...].

2. A Southeast Asian plant of the genus Nepenthes.
3. Plural form of nepenthe