preanaesthetic
/ˌpriːanɪsˈθɛtɪk/Medicine
adjective
1Occurring before the introduction of anaesthesia into surgical practice.
2Used, carried out, or occurring before the induction of anaesthesia.
noun
A drug (typically a sedative, hypnotic, or analgesic) used before the induction of anaesthesia.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Lancet. From pre- + anaesthetic.