phencyclidine

American

[fen-sahy-kli-deen, -sik-li-] / fɛnˈsaɪ klɪˌdin, -ˈsɪk lɪ- /

noun

Pharmacology.

an anesthetic drug, C 1 7 H 2 5 N, used as an animal tranquilizer: also widely used in several forms as an illicit hallucinogen.

phencyclidine British

/ fɛnˈsɪklɪˌdiːn /

noun

See PCP

"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

Etymology

Origin of phencyclidine

First recorded in 1955–60; phen(o)- + cycl(ic) + -id ³ + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Monroe County medical examiner listed the death as a homicide caused by “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint” and cited phencyclidine, or PCP, as a contributing factor.

From Seattle Times

Toxicology studies showed he was under “acute phencyclidine intoxication” at the time.

From Fox News

According to police body camera footage, Joe Prude also told officers his brother was high on PCP, or phencyclidine, which is a DEA Schedule II controlled dangerous hallucinogenic drug.

From Fox News

The report cited excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as contributing factors.

From Washington Times

The autopsy report also cited "excited delirium" and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or the drug PCP, as contributing factors.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023