narcotic
[ nahr-kot-ik ]
/ nɑrˈkɒt ɪk /
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
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Origin of narcotic
OTHER WORDS FROM narcotic
Words nearby narcotic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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, adverbWord 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.