a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid, C18H21NO3, obtained from opium, used in medicine chiefly as an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing.
Main Entry: co·deine Pronunciation: 'kO-"dEn, 'kOd-E-&n Function: noun : a morphine derivativeC18H21NO3·H2O that is found in opium, is weaker in action than morphine, and is used especially in cough remedies
codeine co·deine (kō'dēn', -dē-ĭn) n. An alkaloid narcotic derived from opium or morphine and used as a cough suppressant, analgesic, and hypnotic. Also called methylmorphine.