cocaine

[ koh-keyn, koh-keyn ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a bitter, crystalline alkaloid, C 17 H 21 NO 4 , obtained from coca leaves, used as a local anesthetic and also widely used as an illicit drug for its stimulant and euphorigenic properties.

cocaine

/ kəˈkeɪn /

noun

1. an addictive narcotic drug derived from coca leaves or synthesized, used medicinally as a topical anaesthetic. Formula: C 17 H 21 NO 4

cocaine

/ kō-kān′ /

1. A colorless or white crystalline alkaloid extracted from coca leaves. Cocaine is sometimes used in medicine as a local anesthetic, especially for the eyes, nose, or throat. It is also widely used as an illicit drug for its euphoric and stimulating effects. Chemical formula: C 17 H 21 NO 4 .

cocaine

1. A drug derived from the leaves of a shrub in South America that has an intoxicating effect on the body and can result in dependency if frequently used. Cocaine is used medically as a local anesthetic .

Notes

Cocaine use constitutes a major drug problem in the United States.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocaine¹

First recorded in 1870–75; coca + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocaine¹

C19: from coca + -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Williams has talked openly about regularly using cocaine in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

From Washington Post

A trucking company that carries a load of cocaine on interstate highways is liable for drug trafficking, as would be a drug company whose products caused opiate overdoses.

From Fortune

One defendant told investigators that one year, the 22-member Phi Gamma Delta pledge class pooled money to buy an ounce of cocaine for a spring-break trip.

From Washington Post

Because of its method of ingestion, crack cocaine produces a quicker and more acute high.

From Popular-Science

Possessing heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs for personal use is no longer a criminal offense in Oregon.

From No Straight News

Coca-Cola was a wildly popular drink and hangover remedy because, well, it contained cocaine.

From The Daily Beast

Cocaine busts, tax cheats, and bribe-taking, born-again Christians: Welcome to the political scandals of 2014.

From The Daily Beast

The characters you play on the show are extremely diverse—ranging from a cocaine-rattled rich boy to an ornery Jewish grandpa.

From The Daily Beast

The night before he bought a lot of crack-cocaine on credit with no way to pay, intending to kill himself after smoking.

From The Daily Beast

He dealt drugs, was addicted to cocaine by the time he was 13, and found himself constantly in trouble with the law.

From The Daily Beast

For those who have opium, cocaine, veronal, or heroin to sell can always find a ready market in London and elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a method is far safer than cocaine, which should never be put in the hands of the patient for any purpose whatever.

From Project Gutenberg

I did not think cocaine a safe drug and never used it, preferring the hay fever to the cocaine habit.

From Project Gutenberg

All three of us were having trouble with snow-blindness; the "zinc and cocaine" tabloids being in great demand.

From Project Gutenberg

I collected from the living voices of my fellow prisoners innumerable jail and cocaine songs, and rhymes of the criminal world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coke
• crack
• dope
• poison
• stimulant