psychotropic
/ˌsaɪkəˈtrɒpɪk/
adjective
Origin
Greek
ψυχή + τρόπος — soul/mind + turn/way/direction
Overview
Meaning Now
- Relating to or denoting drugs that affect a person's mental state, mood, or behaviour.
Literal older meaning
Turning or affecting the mind or soul.
Language path
Greek → New Latin → English
Earliest form
psychotropic
Earliest period
20th century
Journey
The term emerged during the mid-20th century, a period marked by the 'psychopharmacological revolution' following the development of the first effective antipsychotic and antidepressant medications. It was constructed to describe substances that specifically target the central nervous system to alter consciousness.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
psykhē
“breath, soul, mind”
- Ancient Greek
tropos
“a turn, way, manner, direction”
- 20th century English
psychotropic
“affecting the psyche/mind”
Formed as a scientific neologism in pharmacology.
Connections
Word parts
psycho-
prefix
related to the mind or soul
-tropic
suffix
having an affinity for or affecting
Related across languages
French
psychotrope
psychotropic
German
psychotrop
psychotropic
Explore next
Related to psychotropic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.