narcotic

American  

[nahr-kot-ik] / nɑrˈkɒt ɪk /

noun

1. any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, marijuana, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.

2. any controlled substance, whether sedative or stimulant.

   Airports need security solutions that can effectively detect concealed explosives and narcotics.

3. anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence.

   Television is a narcotic for many people.

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adjective

1. of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.

3. of or relating to narcotics or their use.

4. used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

narcotic British  

/ nɑːˈkɒtɪk /

noun

1. any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that produce numbness and stupor. They are used medicinally to relieve pain but are sometimes also taken for their pleasant effects; prolonged use may cause addiction

2. anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc

3. any illegal drug

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating narcotics

2. of or relating to narcotics addicts or users

3. of or relating to narcosis

narcotic Scientific  

/ när-kŏt′ĭk /

1. Any of a group of highly addictive analgesic drugs derived from opium or opiumlike compounds. Narcotics can cause drowsiness and significant alterations of mood and behavior.

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Other Word Forms

• antinarcotic
  adjective
• antinarcotics
  adjective
• narcotically
  adverb
• nonnarcotic
  adjective
• prenarcotic
  adjective
• pseudonarcotic
  adjective
• seminarcotic
  adjective
• subnarcotic
  adjective
• unnarcotic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of narcotic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun narcotic, narkotik, Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Greek narkōtikón, noun use of neuter of narkōtikós “benumbing,” equivalent to narkō- (stem of narkoûn “to benumb” + -tikos adjective suffix; see narco-, -tic

Explanation

Use the noun narcotic to talk about a pain relieving or sleep inducing drug and the adjective narcotic to describe anything that has these same effects. Patients who have their wisdom teeth removed are often given a narcotic to ease their pain afterward. A numbing drug is usually just what they need to recover — that and plenty of ice cream. If a hot bath and a cup of tea make you incredibly drowsy, you can say that they have a narcotic effect on you. In the United States, narcotic drugs are illegal without a doctor's prescription — narcotic often has a negative connotation, especially when it's used in news reports.

Example Sentences

In New York, where both Collins and Haney work from, researchers must also have a license from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

From Slate • Oct. 12, 2022

The California Narcotic Officers’ Association said in opposition that there is no need for “drastic changes in what is a well-crafted document.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2022

The agency says these measures are necessary to comply with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, a 1961 treaty aimed at combatting drug trafficking.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 30, 2020

Mehline met Sawyer at the state Department of Corrections’ Narcotic Detection Dog Training in Shelton a couple of months ago.

From Washington Times • Apr. 22, 2018

But, alas! 'tis Mr. Narcotic, whose spectacled nose is just verging above the crimson horizon of his pulpit.—"Awake, thou that sleepest!"

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 266, July 28, 1827 by Various

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• hard drug
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer