narco

¹

[nahr-koh]

noun

Slang.

plural

narcos 

1. narc.

narco-

²

1. a combining form meaning “stupor,” “narcosis,” used in the formation of compound words.

   narcodiagnosis.

narco-

combining form

1. indicating numbness or torpor

   narcolepsy

2. connected with or derived from illicit drug production

   narcoeconomies

Word History and Origins

Origin of narco-¹

Shortening of narcotic; -o

Origin of narco-²

< Greek nárk ( ē ) numbness, stiffness + -o-

Word History and Origins

Origin of narco-¹

from Greek narkē numbness

Example Sentences

"These operations aimed at combatting narco and human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime are ultimately aimed at allowing the region to be a true 'Zone of Peace' where all citizens can, in reality, live and work in a safe environment," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Read more on BBC

Soon after, the U.S. ratcheted up its allegations that Maduro is leading a drug cartel and followed up with a military buildup in the Caribbean to target suspected narco vessels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that it is “much better to form an economic bridge with our allies” and “end up with people who want to do the right thing” than have to be “shooting narco gunboats,” an apparent reference to the boats that the U.S. has targeted off the coast of Venezuela.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the U.S. also accuses Mr. Maduro and his generals of sitting atop the Venezuelan narco group known as the Cartel of the Suns and of being in cahoots with another U.S.-designated Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.

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“At the same time Rubio is saying it’s an illegitimate government and Maduro is a narco terrorist, they’re still dealing with the regime.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When To Use

What does narco- mean?

Narco- is a combining form used like a prefix referring to narcosis. In some instances, narco- is used to refer to various aspects of the trade of illegal drugs trade, i.e., narcotics.Narcosis is a state of stupor or drowsiness, especially as induced by narcotics. Narcotics include drugs such as opiates, heroin, marijuana, and alcohol.Narco- is often used in medical and scientific terms, including in pathology and psychiatry, and often refers to narcotic drugs.Narco- comes from the Greek nárkē, meaning “numbness, stiffness.”Note that narco and narc are slang for a government agent or detective charged with the enforcement of laws restricting the use of narcotics.Both narco and narc are shortened from narcotic, which as you may have guessed, also comes from the Greek nárkē. Narc is sometimes spelled as nark and, while the two terms somewhat overlap in slang sense, nark as slang for “informer” comes from a completely different origin than narcotic. Discover its surprising source at our entry for nark.What are variants of narco-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, narco- becomes narc-, as in narcoma.