codeine

American  

[koh-deen] / ˈkoʊ din /

Also codeia

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid, C 18 H 21 NO 3 , obtained from opium, used in medicine chiefly as an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing.

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codeine British  

/ ˈkəʊdiːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline alkaloid prepared mainly from morphine and having a similar but milder action. It is used as an analgesic, an antidiarrhoeal, and to relieve coughing. Formula: C 18 H 21 NO 3

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codeine Scientific  

/ kō′dēn′ /

1. An alkaloid narcotic derived from opium or morphine and used primarily as an analgesic and a cough suppressant. Chemical formula: C ₁₈ H ₂₁ NO ₃ .

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codeine Cultural  

1. A drug obtained from opium or morphine that is used as a pain reliever and cough remedy.

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Etymology

Origin of codeine

1830–40; < Greek kṓde ( ia ) head, poppy-head + -ine ²

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy