noun
- substances that cause loss of sensation or consciousness, used to prevent pain during medical procedures
Usage: medical; plural form of anesthetic
Examples
- The surgeon used local anesthetics to numb the area before the procedure.
- General anesthetics put patients to sleep during major operations.
- Dentists commonly use topical anesthetics before giving injections.
- The hospital stocks various types of anesthetics for different procedures.
- Some anesthetics wear off quickly while others last for hours.
- Modern anesthetics are much safer than those used decades ago.