-ative +

Tending to be profitable or remunerative.

Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

1. Tending to reform.
2. Serving to induce reform.

1. A medication with tranquilizing properties.
2. Tending to calm or soothe.
2. Allaying irritability or excitement; assuaging pain; lowering functional activity.

Most sedatives (tranquillizers) can also promote sleep. Overdosage of a sedative medication can lead to dangerous respiratory depression (slowed breathing).

A drug that calms a patient down, easing agitation and permitting sleep. Sedatives generally work by modulating signals within the central nervous system.

These sedatives can dangerously depress important signals needed to maintain heart and lung function if they are misused or accidentally combined, as in the case of combining prescription sedatives with alcohol.

Many sedatives also have addictive potential. For these reasons, sedatives should be used under supervision, and only as needed.

1. Not inclined to talk or to give information or to express opinions.
2. Tending not to talk nor to disclose information; reserved; taciturn.