opium

[ oh-pee-uhm ]

noun

1. the dried, condensed juice of a poppy, Papaver somniferum, that has a narcotic, soporific, analgesic, and astringent effect and contains morphine, codeine, papaverine, and other alkaloids used in medicine in their isolated or derived forms: a narcotic substance, poisonous in large doses.
2. anything that causes dullness or inaction or that soothes the mind or emotions.

opium

/ ˈəʊpɪəm /

noun

1. the dried juice extracted from the unripe seed capsules of the opium poppy that contains alkaloids such as morphine and codeine: used in medicine as an analgesic
2. something having a tranquillizing or stupefying effect

opium

/ ō′pē-əm /

1. A highly addictive, yellowish-brown drug obtained from the pods of a variety of poppy, from which other drugs, such as morphine, are prepared.

opium

1. A highly addictive drug obtained from the poppy plant. Several other drugs, such as morphine and codeine , are derived from opium.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opium¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek ópion poppy juice, equivalent to op ( ós ) sap, juice + -ion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of opium¹

C14: from Latin: poppy juice, from Greek opion, diminutive of opos juice of a plant

Example Sentences

They tracked down opium and marijuana fields, called in helicopters, sprayed the crops with powerful herbicides, and then rounded up the suspected growers.

From Time

The book has three sections — Opium, Caffeine and Mescaline — each of which ties a scientific and historical exploration of a plant-drug to a small but gripping personal drama.

From Washington Post

It turns out, Pollan learns, that poppies are for sale in standard seed catalogues, and opium goo practically harvests itself.

From Washington Post

He is a member of the Sassoon family, nicknamed the “Rothschilds of the East” for their extensive investments across Asia—including the import and export of opium, which sparked two wars between Britain and China in the 1800s.

From Quartz

And almost no event plays a larger role in that identity as a victim than the Opium Wars.

From The Daily Beast

A hit of good opium these days “costs a lot of money, about $5 (150,000 rials),” says Bahari.

From The Daily Beast

In 2011, Iran accounted for 80 per cent of the opium seizures in the world, and 30 percent of the heroin seizures.

From The Daily Beast

“Traditionally, older Iranian men have smoked opium in their poetry readings and backgammon gatherings,” says Bahari.

From The Daily Beast

Both vaporiums I visited included areas to hang out it, like the louche opium dens of old.

From The Daily Beast

Alighting from Pyne's car at the door, they went up to the flat of the organizer of the opium party—Mr. Cyrus Kilfane.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything except opium is to be had at Kazmah's, and nothing except opium interests me.

From Project Gutenberg

We here saw an opium-eater, lying stretched out upon a mat on the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that some of the Chinese opium smokers consume from twenty to thirty grains a-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon a little Moorish table beside a deep, low settee lay a complete opium-smoking outfit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy