thebaine

American  

[thee-buh-een, thi-bey-een, -in] / ˈθi bəˌin, θɪˈbeɪ in, -ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble, poisonous alkaloid, C 19 H 21 NO 3 , present in opium in small quantities, but having a strychninelike rather than a narcotic effect.

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thebaine British  

/ ˈθiːbəˌiːn, θɪˈbeɪiːn, -aɪn /

noun

1. Also called: paramorphine.  a poisonous white crystalline alkaloid, found in opium but without opioid actions. Formula: C 19 H 21 NO 3

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Etymology

Origin of thebaine

1890–95; < New Latin thēba ( ia ) opium of Thebes, Egypt (alteration of Latin Thēbaea, feminine of Thēbaeus Theban) + -ine ²

Example Sentences

Luxury cars aside, farmers point out that while thebaine poppies were profitable in the early days, for the most part, the big money was not flowing to farmers.

From Washington Post • Mar. 26, 2020

Strong said that excluding thebaine from the 80/20 rule made sense because it is more difficult to transform into illicit drugs.

From Washington Post • Mar. 26, 2020

In addition to morphine, these include thebaine, a precursor to the pain relievers oxycodone and hydrocondone, as well as commonly used antispasmodic compounds, antibiotics, and anticancer agents.

From Science Magazine • May 18, 2015

The industry is quietly increasing its reserves of raw thebaine.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2014

They followed in 2009 with “Ted,” a variety that made mostly thebaine.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2014