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

After lobbying by Glaxo, Tasmanian Alkaloids and Australian government officials, U.S. officials said that they would not count thebaine under the import rule.

From Washington Post • Mar. 26, 2020

“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 • 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

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

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2014

The industry is quietly increasing its reserves of raw thebaine.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2014