rhizoverbBeta
DictionarynepentheRelief from sorrow
noun

nepenthe

nuh-PEN-thee/nˌɛpˈɛnθi/

Something that brings forgetfulness of sorrow or trouble.

Playing with the puppy offers the grieving man a moment of nepenthe.

A puppy becomes nepenthe for a grieving man: a compact two-moment sequence contrasts sorrowful attention to a memorial photograph with complete absorption in playful companionship.
Etymology
nēpenthēsGreekbanishing grief

A grief-banishing potion became a general name for anything that makes sorrow forgotten.

More examples

  • Music offers a temporary nepenthe for her sorrow.
  • He seeks nepenthe in familiar stories.

Forms

nepenthe

Similar words

solace
Comfort in distress without necessarily forgetting.
anodyne
Something that soothes pain or distress.