opiate

American  

[oh-pee-it, -eyt, oh-pee-eyt] / ˈoʊ pi ɪt, -ˌeɪt, ˈoʊ piˌeɪt /

noun

1. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used in medicine for inducing sleep and relieving pain.

   The opium poppy yields morphine, codeine, and other opiates.

2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. any sedative, soporific, or narcotic.

   Back then, the country physician would concoct all sorts of opiates in a crude kitchen laboratory.

   Synonyms:

   drug

   Antonyms:

   stimulant

3. anything that causes dullness or inaction or that soothes the feelings.

   His favorite opiate seems to be a six-pack in front of the TV.

   Synonyms:

   anodyne

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adjective

1. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. mixed or prepared with opium.

   Some opiate substances, such as thebaine, may be more toxic than narcotic.

2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. inducing sleep; soporific; narcotic.

   Subjects were given a variety of opiate teas over the course of a four-week study.

   Synonyms:

   sedative

3. causing dullness or inaction.

   The opiate effects of their droning reprimands were legendary.

verb (used with object)

opiated, opiating

1. to subject to an opiate; stupefy.

   The violent patients were routinely opiated.

2. to dull or deaden.

   This dreadful music is opiating my spirit.

opiate British  

noun

1. any of various narcotic drugs, such as morphine and heroin, that act on opioid receptors

2. any other narcotic or sedative drug

3. something that soothes, deadens, or induces sleep

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adjective

1. containing or consisting of opium

2. inducing relaxation; soporific

verb

1. to treat with an opiate

2. to dull or deaden

Other Word Forms

• unopiated adjective

Etymology

Origin of opiate

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French, from Medieval Latin opiātus “bringing sleep,” equivalent to Latin opi(um) “poppy juice” + adjective suffix -ātus; opium, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Bonus: I need no more arthritis meds, no more opiates, no more braces and no cane.

From Seattle Times

But fame has a way of upgrading your perception of everything it touches; it installs a gloss that no one likes to revoke — the illusion it supplies is too effective an opiate.

From Los Angeles Times

This kind of faith — shared by many faiths — is not an opiate or a self-help manual.

From Washington Post

There was no possibility of an opiate just at present, and no need of one; and so, without a moment’s delay, we began the operation.

From Literature

And what opiate for his severe sufferings—what object for his strong passions—had he sought there?

From Literature

Related Words

• narcotic
• opium
• sedative
• tranquilizer