narcotic

American  

[nahr-kot-ik] / nɑrˈkɒt ɪk /

noun

1. any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, marijuana, 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. any controlled substance, whether sedative or stimulant.

   Airports need security solutions that can effectively detect concealed explosives and narcotics.

3. anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence.

   Television is a narcotic for many people.

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adjective

1. of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.

3. of or relating to narcotics or their use.

4. used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

narcotic British  

/ nɑːˈkɒtɪk /

noun

1. any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that produce numbness and stupor. They are used medicinally to relieve pain but are sometimes also taken for their pleasant effects; prolonged use may cause addiction

2. anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc

3. any illegal drug

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating narcotics

2. of or relating to narcotics addicts or users

3. of or relating to narcosis

narcotic Scientific  

/ när-kŏt′ĭk /

1. Any of a group of highly addictive analgesic drugs derived from opium or opiumlike compounds. Narcotics can cause drowsiness and significant alterations of mood and behavior.

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Other Word Forms

• antinarcotic adjective
• antinarcotics adjective
• narcotically adverb
• nonnarcotic adjective
• prenarcotic adjective
• pseudonarcotic adjective
• seminarcotic adjective
• subnarcotic adjective
• unnarcotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of narcotic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun narcotic, narkotik, Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Greek narkōtikón, noun use of neuter of narkōtikós “benumbing,” equivalent to narkō- (stem of narkoûn “to benumb” + -tikos adjective suffix; narco-, -tic

Example Sentences

Washington has not yet provided any evidence that the boats were smuggling narcotics or posed a threat to the United States.

From Barron's

Then, Verdin said his bosses moved his partner Tan out of narcotics without notice.

From Los Angeles Times

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the carrier strike group “will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Supporting higher regional gross domestic product growth can improve social stability, reduce immigration pressure, and strengthen cooperation in the fight against narcotics.

From Barron's

Washington has yet to make public any evidence that its targets were smuggling narcotics or posed a threat to the United States.

From Barron's

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• hard drug
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer