nepenthe

Nepenthe \Ne*pen"the\, n. [Fr. Gr. ? removing all sorrow; hence, an epithet of an Egyptian drug which lulled sorrow for the day; ? not + ? sorrow, grief.] A drug used by the ancients to give relief from pain and sorrow; -- by some supposed to have been opium or hasheesh. Hence, anything soothing and comforting. [1913 Webster]