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

In 1996, Tasmanian Alkaloids invited Robert Gelbard, a high-ranking Clinton diplomat, to a farm where he was informed about the company’s recent development of the thebaine poppy.

From Washington Post

The text of the 80/20 rule did not list specific opiates, such as thebaine, that should be counted under the rule.

From Washington Post

“The export coup follows a U.S. Department of Justice decision to relax its rules for thebaine following pressure from pharmaceutical companies and lobbying by the industry and Tasmanian and Australian governments.”

From Washington Post

“There was lobbying to keep thebaine out of the 80/20 rule,” said Peter Patmore, the attorney general for the state of Tasmania at the time, who led government efforts and noted the role of Glaxo and Tasmanian Alkaloids.

From Washington Post

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