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.
a substance that produces , as halothane, procaine, or ether.
pertaining to or causing physical insensibility:
an anesthetic gas.
physically insensitive:
Halothane is used to produce an anesthetic state.
Historical Examples

The operation has been rendered painless by the use of anaesthetics.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 Various

We did not know its value as an anodyne, for we had no need of anaesthetics of any kind.
I Walked in Arden Jack Crawford

The greater number of deaths occur during the administration of anaesthetics, which seem peculiarly dangerous to these subjects.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 2 Various

The application of anaesthetics was another thing fully explained by Gys, but this could not be demonstrated.
Aunt Jane’s Nieces in the Red Cross Edith Van Dyne

The man was too far gone, indeed, to justify the use of anaesthetics, yet without them Dick feared to proceed.
The Adventures of Dick Maitland Harry Collingwood

Little Gordon ‘came into the world without the assistance of surgery or anaesthetics.’
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

There was an overpowering odor of anaesthetics in the room although the windows had been thrown wide open.
Aladdin of London Sir Max Pemberton

The smell of anaesthetics somehow reminded him of the library in the house at the corner of St. James’ Square.
The Illustrious Prince E. Phillips Oppenheim

With anaesthetics this state of things at any rate was changed.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 7 Various

anaesthetics have justly been called the greatest boon ever conferred by science upon mankind.
Woman, Church & State Matilda Joslyn Gage

noun
(functioning as sing) the science, study, and practice of anaesthesia and its application US name anesthesiology
noun
local or general loss of bodily sensation, esp of touch, as the result of nerve damage or other abnormality
loss of sensation, esp of pain, induced by drugs: called general anaesthesia when consciousness is lost and local anaesthesia when only a specific area of the body is involved
a general dullness or lack of feeling
noun, adjective
the usual US spelling of anaesthetic
n.

1721, “loss of feeling,” Modern Latin, from Greek anaisthesia “want of feeling, lack of sensation (to pleasure or pain),” from an- “without” (see an- (1)) + aisthesis “feeling,” from PIE root *au- “to perceive” (see audience). As “a procedure for the prevention of pain in surgical operations,” from 1846.
adj.

alternative spelling of anaesthetic (q.v.). See ae.

anesthetic an·es·thet·ic (ān’ĭs-thět’ĭk)
n.
An agent that reversibly depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation. adj.

Characterized by the loss of sensation.

Capable of producing a loss of sensation.

Associated with or due to the state of anesthesia.

an’es·thet’i·cal·ly adv.
anesthetic
(ān’ĭs-thět’ĭk)
A drug that temporarily depresses neuronal function, producing total or partial loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.
anesthetic [(an-is-thet-ik)]

A substance that causes loss of sensation or consciousness. With the aid of an anesthetic, people can undergo surgery without pain. (See general anesthetic and local anesthetic.)