soporific

<font size="-1" face="arial, helvetica"> <p> <strong> <font color="#000066">Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for November 7, 2021 is:</font> </strong> </p> <p> <strong>soporific</strong> &#149; \sah-puh-RIFF-ik\&nbsp; &#149; <em>adjective</em><br /> <p><em>Soporific</em> means "causing sleep."</p> <p>// Studies show that the herb has a <em>soporific</em> effect.</p> <p><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soporific">See the entry ></a></p> </p> <p> <strong>Examples:</strong><br /> <p>"Relying on repetition and rhyme, the text generates a gentle, <em>soporific</em> cadence as the little lions progress homeward…. The painterly, realistic illustrations create the feel of approaching night…." — <em>Kirkus Reviews</em>, 1 Oct. 2021</p> </p> <p> <strong>Did you know?</strong><br /> <p><em>Soporific</em> comes from Latin <em>sopor</em>, which means "deep sleep." That root is related to <em>somnus</em>, the Latin word for "sleep." Despite its meaning, <em>somnus</em> has been active, giving English <em><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somnolence">somnolence</a></em> (sleepiness), <em><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somnambulism">somnambulism</a></em> (sleepwalking), and many other "sleepy" words.</p> <br /><br /> </p> </font>