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narcotics

 - 5 dictionary results

nar⋅cot⋅ic

  [nahr-kot-ik]
Use narcotics in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.
2. anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence: Television is a narcotic for many people.
–adjective
3. of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.
4. pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.
5. of or pertaining to narcotics or their use.
6. used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME narcotik(e) (n.) < ML narcōticum < Gk narkōtikón, n. use of neut. of narkōtikós benumbing, equiv. to narkō- (var. s. of narkoûn to benumb; see narco- ) + -tikos -tic

Related forms:
nar⋅cot⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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nar·cot·ic   (när-kŏt'ĭk)   
n.  

  1. An addictive drug, such as opium, that reduces pain, alters mood and behavior, and usually induces sleep or stupor. Natural and synthetic narcotics are used in medicine to control pain.

  2. A soothing, numbing agent or thing: "There was the blessed narcotic of bridge, at the Colony or at the home of friends" (Louis Auchincloss).

adj.  

  1. Inducing sleep or stupor; causing narcosis.

  2. Of or relating to narcotics, their effects, or their use.

  3. Of, relating to, or intended for one addicted to a narcotic.


[Middle English narcotik, from Old French narcotique, from Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Greek narkōtikon, from neuter of narkōtikos, numbing, from narkōsis, a numbing; see narcosis.]
nar·cot'i·cal·ly adv.
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

narcotic  (n.)
c.1385, from O.Fr. adj. narcotique (1314), from M.L. narcoticum, from Gk. narkotikon, neut. of narkotikos "making stiff or numb," from narkotos, verbal adj. of narcoun "to benumb, make unconscious," from narke "numbness, stupor, cramp," perhaps from PIE base *(s)nerq- "to turn, twist." Sense of "any illegal drug" first recorded 1926, Amer.Eng. The adj. is first attested 1601.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2narcotic
Function: adjective
1 : having the properties of or yielding a narcotic
2 : of, induced by, or concernedwith narcotics
3 : of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

narcotic nar·cot·ic (när-kŏt'ĭk)
n.
A drug derived from opium or opiumlike compounds, with potent analgesic effects associated with significant alteration of mood and behavior, and with the potential for dependence and tolerance following repeated administration. adj.
Capable of inducing a state of stuporous analgesia.

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