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heroin

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her⋅o⋅in

[her-oh-in]
–noun Pharmacology.
a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C21H23NO5, derived from morphine, formerly used as an analgesic and sedative: manufacture and importation of heroin are now controlled by federal law in the U.S. because of the danger of addiction.


Origin:
1895–1900; formerly trademark; < G Heroin < Gk hērō-, s. of hrōs hero + G -in -in 2 ; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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her·o·in   (hěr'ō-ĭn)   
n.  A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C17H17NO(C2H3O2)2, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic. Also called diacetylmorphine.

[German, originally a trademark.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

heroin 
from Ger. Heroin, coined 1898 as trademark registered by Friedrich Bayer & Co. for their morphine substitute, traditionally from Gk. heros (see hero) because of the euphoric feeling the drug provides.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: her·o·in
Pronunciation: 'her-&-w&n
Function: noun
: a strongly physiologically addictive narcoticC21H23NO5 that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the U.S. but is used illicitly for its euphoriceffects called also acetomorphine, diacetylmorphine, diamorphine
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

heroin her·o·in (hěr'ō-ĭn)
n.
A white, bitter, crystalline compound that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic. Also called diacetylmorphine.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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