narco

¹ American  

[nahr-koh] / ˈnɑr koʊ /

noun

Slang.

plural

narcos

1. narc.

---

narco- ² American  

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

   narcodiagnosis.

---

narco- British  

combining form

1. indicating numbness or torpor

   narcolepsy

2. connected with or derived from illicit drug production

   narcoeconomies

---

Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of narco¹

Shortening of narcotic; -o

Origin of narco-¹

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

Example Sentences

“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” Noem said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is Timmy Trumpet who plays the chillingly inspiring solo from “Narco” that accompanies closer Edwin Díaz from the bullpen to the mound.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the biggest news from Friday’s introduction: Díaz still plans to enter games to his iconic walk-out song, “Narco” by Timmy Trumpet — which Gomes described as “probably the most electric walkout song in the game.”

From Los Angeles Times

The faux title reads: "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists."

From BBC

Hernández is innocent and was set up by convicted narco traffickers, said Renato Stabile, Hernández’s defense lawyer.

From The Wall Street Journal