hyp·not·ic / hipˈnätik/ • adj. 1. of, producing, or relating to hypnosis: a hypnotic state. ∎  exerting a compelling, fascinating, or soporific effect: her voice had a hypnotic quality.2. Med. (of a drug) sleep-inducing.• n. 1. Med. a sleep-inducing drug.2. a person under or open to the influence of hypnotism.DERIVATIVES: hyp·not·i·cal·ly / -(ə)lē/ adv.

hypnotic
A. soporific XVII;

B. pert. to hypnotism XIX. — F. hypnotique — late L. hypnōticus — Gr. hupnōtikós narcotic, f. hupnoûn put to sleep, f. húpnos sleep; see -IC.
Hence hypnotism, hypnotist, hypnotize XIX.

hypnotic (soporific) (hip-not-ik) n. a drug that produces sleep by depressing brain function and is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Hypnotics include benzodiazepines (e.g. nitrazepam, lorazepam) and drugs that act at benzodiazepine receptor sites, such as zolpidem (Stilnoct) and zopiclone (Zimovane). Some hypnotics (e.g. nitrazepam, flurazepam) cause hangover effects in the morning.