a. [ad. L. somnificus: see SOMNI- and -FIC.] Causing sleep; somniferous.
1721. Bailey, Somnifick, causing sleep.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Indies, I. xxiii. 278. Others again take somnifick Medicines, and stand by the Pile till they fall on it while asleep.
1775. S. J. Pratt, Liberal Opin., cxxxvi. (1783), IV. 254. A somnific fit again overtook him,… and, in the next instant, he was snoring in his chair.
1819. Moore, Diary, VIII. 189. I agree with you that a great part of ‘Lara’ is very prosy and somnific.
1834. Southey, Doctor (1848), 3. The voice, the manner, the matter,… were all alike somnific.
