Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

heroin

 - 6 dictionary results

her⋅o⋅in

  [her-oh-in]
Use heroin in a Sentence
–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.
Also called diacetylmorphine, diamorphine.

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.
Cite This Source Link To heroin
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.
Cite This Source
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
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
heroin   (hěr'ō-ĭn)  Pronunciation Key 
A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C17H17NO(C2H3O2)2, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see heroin on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way