Meaning & Definition of word "Anesthesia"

Anesthesia

/ˌæn.ɪsˈθiː.zi.ə/

noun:

  • 1. A medical treatment that prevents the sensation of pain during surgery or other medical procedures by blocking nerve signals.
    • Example: Before the surgery, the patient was given general anesthesia to ensure they felt no pain.
  • 2. The state induced by administration of anesthetic drugs, in which sensation, pain, and consciousness are temporarily diminished or completely blocked.
    • Example: The anesthesia made the patient completely unaware of the invasive procedure.
  • 3. Loss of sensation or consciousness, often caused by an anesthetic agent.
    • Example: The dentist used local anesthesia to numb the area around the extraction site.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'anesthēsia', meaning 'lack of sensation'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

general anesthesia:

A medically induced state where the patient is completely unconscious.

local anesthesia:

A type of anesthesia that numbs a specific area of the body.

anesthesia awareness:

A rare condition where a patient becomes conscious during surgery and can recall sensations.

Related Words

anesthetic:

A drug used to induce anesthesia.

analgesia:

The inability to feel pain.

Slang Meanings of anesthesia

Meaning: Knockout juice

Example Sentence: He took that knockout juice before the surgery.

Meaning: Sleepy medicine

Example Sentence: After taking the sleepy medicine, I was out cold in minutes.