麻醉 mázuì anesthesia
anesthesia; to anesthetize; (figuratively) to corrupt (somebody's mind); to enervate; to numb the mind (to escape from harsh reality)
How to remember 麻醉: 麻 hemp + 醉 drunk = anesthesia.
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How it is used
- Anesthesia / to anesthetize; figuratively to numb the mind - 全身麻醉 (quánshēn mázuì) general anesthesia; 麻醉自己 (mázuì zìjǐ) to numb oneself (to reality).
- Medical sense (局部/全身麻醉) plus a figurative 'to deaden/lull the mind' to escape pain.
- Register: medicine, and critical/literary for numbing the spirit.