morphine

American  

[mawr-feen] / ˈmɔr fin /

Also morphia

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, bitter, crystalline alkaloid, C 1 7 H 1 9 NO 3 ⋅H 2 O, the most important narcotic and addictive principle of opium, obtained by extraction and crystallization and used chiefly in medicine as a pain reliever and sedative.

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morphine British  

/ ˈmɔːfiːn, ˈmɔːfɪə /

noun

1. an alkaloid extracted from opium: used in medicine as an analgesic and sedative, although repeated use causes addiction. Formula: C 17 H 19 NO 3

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morphine Scientific  

/ môr′fēn′ /

1. A highly addictive drug derived from opium and used to treat intractable pain, as in severe injury or metastatic cancer.

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morphine Cultural  

1. An addictive drug derived from opium that is used as an analgesic and sedative.

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Other Word Forms

• morphinic adjective

Etymology

Origin of morphine

From the German word Morphin, dating back to 1820–30. See Morpheus, -ine ²

Example Sentences

Hospital records show he was given morphine for pain and that doctors ordered a dozen CT scans and X-rays, including of his neck, spine and head.

From Salon

These receptors are proteins found on nerve cells that reduce pain signals when activated by opioids such as morphine.

From Science Daily

The New Yorker was taken to a hospital where she received IV fluids and morphine and “the pain finally went away,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

He was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was given morphine for the pain; he lapsed into a coma and died a few weeks later.

From Los Angeles Times

Even though Horton hadn’t taken cough medicine, health officials say consuming poppy seed products can lead to positive results for morphine, codeine or both due to the sensitivity of the drug tests.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• drug
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• opiate
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