heroin

[her-oh-in]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C 21 H 23 NO 5 , 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.

heroin

/ ˈhɛrəʊɪn /

noun

1. Technical names: diamorphine.  diacetylmorphine. a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C 21 H 23 NO 5

heroin

1. A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C ₁₇ H ₁₇ NO(C ₂ H ₃ O ₂) ₂, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

1895–1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, stem of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in ²; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from _hero , referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality

Example Sentences

At one point, Gregory filmed a video of himself showing Dickinson how to set up and smoke heroin.

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One package, which was recovered by a prison officer in August 2021, contained heroin with a prison value of £22,400 and cannabis worth £15,300.

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One of the things I liked about “French Connection” was the heroin making and the counterfeiting.

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Much of the heroin landing on these islands is drawn off the shipping lanes that pass close to Assumption Island.

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More than 13,000 heroin and opioid deaths have been missed off official statistics in England and Wales, raising concerns about the impact on the government's approach to tackling addiction.

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Related Words

• dope 
• drug 
• narcotic 
• smack