narcotic

[ nahr-kot-ik ]

/ nɑrˈkɒt ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR narcotic ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, 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.

Nearby words

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

Related forms

nar·cot·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·nar·cot·ic, adjective, nounan·ti·nar·cot·ics, adjectivenon·nar·cot·ic, adjective, noun

pre·nar·cot·ic, adjectivepseu·do·nar·cot·ic, adjective, nounsem·i·nar·cot·ic, adjectivesub·nar·cot·ic, adjectiveun·nar·cot·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for narcotic

It remains a Schedule I narcotic to this day, considered as dangerous and addictive by the federal government as heroin and MDMA.
Pot-Smoking Grannies, Jimmy Fallon Covers U2, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though I prescribe hardly any narcotic pain medications, most ADHD medications are also Schedule II.
DEA's Painkiller Crackdown Too Little, Too Late?|Russell Saunders|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Narcotic pain medications, used judiciously, can be an important tool in treating patients in legitimate need.
DEA's Painkiller Crackdown Too Little, Too Late?|Russell Saunders|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those lines are also great places to score Xanax and crack, both drugs that are not affected by narcotic antagonists.
This Anti-Heroin Drug Is Now King of the Jailhouse Drug Trade|Daniel Genis|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They are all shown to have alcoholic beverages as their narcotic of choice.
‘Silicon Valley’ and the Return of Stoner Television|Rich Goldstein|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is antispasmodic, narcotic and toxic, and is used quite commonly with criminal intent in India and Indo-China.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines|T. H. Pardo de Tavera
The visions, as reported by those who have recovered from the influence of the narcotic, are not of any considerable value.
Understanding the Scriptures|Francis McConnell
When given in small doses, their narcotic operation may hardly be perceived.
The Action of Medicines in the System|Frederick William Headland
They make use of a narcotic drink called Ayahuasca, which produces effects similar to those of opium.
The Andes and the Amazon|James Orton
In the first place, we want some precise definition of the quite vaguely understood word, "narcotic."
Tobacco and Alcohol|John Fiske

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 Formsnarcotically, 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

Word Origin and History for narcotic

narcotic

late 14c., from Old French narcotique (early 14c.), noun use of adjective, and directly from Medieval Latin narcoticum, from Greek narkotikon, neuter of narkotikos "making stiff or numb," from narkotos, verbal adjective of narcoun "to benumb, make unconscious," from narke "numbness, deadness, stupor, cramp" (also "the electric ray"), perhaps from PIE root *(s)nerq- "to turn, twist." Sense of "any illegal drug" first recorded 1926, American English. Related: Narcotics.

narcotic

adj.

c.1600, from Middle French narcotique (14c.) or German narkotisch and directly from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkotikos (see narcotic (n.)). Related: Narcotical (1580s).

Medicine 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.

Science 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.

narcotic

noun

adjective

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Origin of narcotic

Examples from the Web for narcotic

narcotic

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adjective

Word Origin for narcotic

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