epicerastic means relieving the harshness or bitterness of certain bodily humours; (loosely), soothing, emollient.
Why “epicerastic” is a great word
Relieving the harshness or bitterness of bodily humours; soothing or emollient. From Ancient Greek ἐπικεραστικός (epikerastikós), from ἐπικεραννύναι (epikerannúnai, 'to temper or mix in'). Unlike palliative, which merely relieves a symptom, or demulcent, which targets only the inflamed membrane, epicerastic is the older, humoral idea of tempering a quality itself. It is the honey stirred into bitter tonic, the warm liniment rubbed into aching joints, and the deliberate dilution of a too-strong wine—a gentle intervention against the intrinsic harshness of being, the ancient art of softening what has turned sharp within.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἐπικεραστικός (epikerastikós), from ἐπικεραννύναι (epikerannúnai, “to temper”).
adj
- Relieving the harshness or bitterness of certain bodily humours; (loosely), soothing, emollient.“Epicerastic medicines obtund the acrimony of the humours, and mitigate the uneasy sensation thence arising.”
noun
- A medicine or herb having such an effect.“Epicerastick […] is a Medicine that assuages and corrects sharp Humours.”
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.