Dictionary.com

narcotic

[ nahr-kot-ik ]
/ nɑrˈkɒt ɪk /
See synonyms for narcotic on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.
anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence: Television is a narcotic for many people.

adjective

of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.
pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.
of or relating to narcotics or their use.
used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

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Origin of narcotic

1350–1400; Middle English narcotik(e) (noun) <Medieval Latin narcōticum<Greek narkōtikón, noun use of neuter of narkōtikós benumbing, equivalent to narkō- (variant stem of narkoûn to benumb; see narco-) + -tikos-tic

OTHER WORDS FROM narcotic

Words nearby narcotic

narcose, narcosis, narcosynthesis, narcoterrorism, narcotherapy, narcotic, narcotic blockade, narcotic reversal, narcotism, narcotize, narcotrafficking
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to narcotic

calming, anesthetic, opium, painkiller, dope, sedative, opiate, tranquilizer, heroin, merchandise, hard drug, hypnotic, soporific, analgesic, deadening, junk, fix, stuff, anodyne, downer

Example sentences from the Web for narcotic

British Dictionary definitions for narcotic

narcotic
/ (nɑːˈkɒtɪk) /

noun

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
anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc
any illegal drug

adjective

of, relating to, or designating narcotics
of or relating to narcotics addicts or users
of or relating to narcosis

Derived forms of narcotic

narcotically, adverb

Word Origin for narcotic

C14: via Medieval Latin from Greek narkōtikós, from narkoūn to render numb, from narkē numbness
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for narcotic

narcotic
[ när-kŏt′ĭk ]

n.

A drug derived from opium or opiumlike compounds, with potent analgesic effects associated with significant alteration of mood and behavior, and with the potential for dependence and tolerance following repeated administration.

adj.

Capable of inducing a state of stuporous analgesia.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for narcotic

narcotic
[ när-kŏt′ĭk ]

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.