sopition

English

Etymology

From Latin sōpītus, perfect passive participle of sopiō (“I put to sleep”) + -tion.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /səˈpɪʃən/, /səʊˈpɪʃən/

Noun

sopition (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) The act of putting to sleep.
   • 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, V.XXII.18:

     But as for dementation, sopition of reason, and the diviner particle from drink, though American religion approve, and Pagan piety of old hath practised, even at their sacrifices; Christian morality and the doctrine of Christ will not allow.

   • 1879, The Hahnemannian Monthly, volume 14, page 113:

     The fresh, loose opium pill will narcotize quickly; the old, compact, dry one will dissolve very slowly, act locally, produce little sopition, and thus be more effective as a contraria for a certain kind of diarrhœa.

Related terms

• soporific

References

“sopition”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• position