somnosEtymologyFrom a proprietary name, from Latin somnos (“sleep”).somnos means A hypnotic and sedative drug containing chloral hydrate. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.nounA hypnotic and sedative drug containing chloral hydrate.“The subcommittee's report to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry shows that the action of somnos is practically identical with that of a 5 per cent elixir of hydrated chloral.”