an·es·the·sia
n.
1. Total or partial loss of sensation, especially tactile sensibility, induced by disease, injury, acupuncture, or an anesthetic, such as chloroform or nitrous oxide.
2. Local or general insensibility to pain with or without the loss of consciousness, induced by an anesthetic.
3. A drug, administered for medical or surgical purposes, that induces partial or total loss of sensation and may be topical, local, regional, or general, depending on the method of administration and area of the body affected.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Updated in 2009.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
"Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life."
(George Bernard Shaw)
*Photo by Priribeiro, "Sem Rede", work by Joana Vasconcelos, Portuguese artist,
chair made of Valium pills
In Exhibition at the CCB, Lisbon, until May 2010, free entrance.
It ceased to hurt me, though so slow
It ceased to hurt me, though so slow
I could not feel the Anguish go—
But only knew by looking back—
That something—had benumbed the Track—
Nor when it altered, I could say,
For I had worn it, every day,
As constant as the Childish frock—
I hung upon the Peg, at night.
But not the Grief—that nestled close
As needles—ladies softly press
To Cushions Cheeks—
To keep their place—
Nor what consoled it, I could trace—
Except, whereas 'twas Wilderness—
It's better—almost Peace—
Emily Dickinson
