Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Nepenthe \Ne*pen"the\, n. [Fr. Gr. ? removing all sorrow; hence,
   an epithet of an Egyptian drug which lulled sorrow for the
   day; ? not + ? sorrow, grief.]
   A drug used by the ancients to give relief from pain and
   sorrow; -- by some supposed to have been opium or hasheesh.
   Hence, anything soothing and comforting.

         Lulled with the sweet nepenthe of a court. --Pope.

         Quaff, O quaff this kind nepenthe.       --Poe.