a. Now rare. [f. L. sopōrifer (f. sopor sleep + -fer bearing): see -FEROUS. Cf. F. soporifère, Sp., Pg., It. soporifero.]

1

  † 1.  Of a disease, morbid state, etc.: Characterized by unnatural or excessive sleep; soporose; lethargic. Obs.

2

1590.  Barrough, Meth. Physick, I. xvii. (1639), 26. It [losse of memory] is caused of the Lethargy and other soporiferous diseases.

3

1597.  A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 35 b/1. Shee is … as if she hadde the soporiferouse dissease, with out all strength, clene layed alonge.

4

1681.  H. More, Exp. Dan. v. 141. It made him fall down into a soporiferous swound.

5

  † b.  Affected with numbness or ‘sleep.’ Obs.–1

6

1599.  A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 209/1. Bath heervvith oftentimes the soporiferous Ioyncte, that it may svveate.

7

  2.  a. = SOPORIFIC a. 1 a.

8

1601.  Holland, Pliny, II. 113. That venomous creature, which by a soporiferous power that it hath … casteth a man into a deadly sleep.

9

1657.  Fuller, Comm. Jonah (1868), 202. Supposing there was some opium or soporiferous virtue therein.

10

1710.  T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 408. The whole Body of Physicians hath … attributed to this Plant [sc. hounds-tongue] a soporiferous Quality.

11

1767.  J. Penn, Sleepy Serm., 7. The Preacher, who delivers himself in such a spiritless, soporiferous Manner.

12

1803.  in Spirit Public Jrnls., VII. 360. The soporiferous and sudorific properties of this truly inestimable opiate.

13

1825.  Scott, Talism., viii. The invalid,… resisting no longer the soporiferous operation of the elixir, sunk down in a gentle sleep.

14

  b.  = SOPORIFIC a. 1 b. ? Obs. (Common in the 17th c.)

15

1601.  Holland, Pliny, II. 112. Halicacabus … is more soporiferous than Opium, and sooner casteth a man into a dead sleepe.

16

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 96. Soporiferous Medecines applyed unto them, provoke sleep.

17

1678.  Gale, Crt. Gentiles, IV. III. 91. Some soporiferous stupifying wine, or potion, or medicine, which being given to a man, or sprinkled on him, casts him into a deep sleep.

18

1732.  Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, in Aliments, etc. 315. The Air perfum’d with the Smell of soporiferous Plants, as Poppies [etc.].

19

1785.  Arnot, Crim. Trials, 143. They also applied to Kennedy for intoxicating or soporiferous draughts.

20

  fig.  1664.  H. More, Myst. Iniq., xx. 75. A lusty draught of that Soporiferous potion that will make him repose himself wholly on the faith of his Priest.

21

1711.  Vind. Sacheverell, 17. It was a noble Entertainment … to see the soporiferous Draughts of Moderation spued up, and useless.

22

  c.  = SOPORIFIC a. 1 c.

23

1694.  Motteux, Rabelais, V. (1737), Prol. p. lvii. Books … dull, soporiferous.

24

  † 3.  = SOPORIFIC a. 3.

25

1602.  Middleton, Phœnix, III. i. F iij b. Hark you sluggish Soporiferous villaines.

26

1624.  R. Skynner, in Ussher’s Lett. (1686), 349. Awake you sleepers from your sleep, and ye soporiferous sluggards, arise from your drowsiness.

27

  Hence Soporiferously adv. (Webster, 1847); Soporiferousness, the state or quality of being soporiferous; sleepy or lethargic condition.

28

1597.  A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 29 b/1. This vayne is opened, agaynst the soporiferousnes, & payne … in the foreheade.

29

1727.  Bailey (vol. II.), Soporiferousness, Sleep-causing Quality.

30

1838.  Blackw. Mag., XLIV. 639. A sort of soporiferousness laid hold of me.

31

1888.  Lafcadio Hearn, in Harper’s Mag., Aug., 343/1. The very air seems inimical to thought; it is heavy with soporiferousness.

32