Len″i‐tive, n. [Cf. F. lénitif.] 1. (Med.) (a) A medicine or application that has the quality of easing pain or protecting from the action of irritants. (b) A mild purgative; a laxative.
2. That which softens or mitigates; that which tends to allay passion, excitement, or pain; a palliative.
There is one sweet lenitive at least for evils, which Nature holds out; so I took it kindly at her hands, and fell asleep. Sterne.