Narcotic meaning

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. narcotic Substance abuse A substance causing euphoria and analgesia at the desired abuse levels and physical dependence and CNS depression, stupor, coma and death in excess. See Opiates. • • • • • Copyright © 2003-2023 Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.

NARCOTIC Pronunciation (US): (GB): IPA (US): Dictionary entry overview: What does narcotic mean? • NARCOTIC (noun) The noun NARCOTIC has 1 sense: 1. a drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction Familiarity information: NARCOTIC used as a noun is very rare. • NARCOTIC (adjective) The adjective NARCOTIC has 3 senses: 1. of or relating to or designating narcotics 2. inducing stupor or narcosis 3. inducing mental lethargy Familiarity information: NARCOTIC used as an adjective is uncommon. Dictionary entry details NARCOTIC (noun) Sense1 Meaning: A drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction Classified under: Nouns denoting man-made objects Hypernyms ("narcotic" is a kind of...): Domain member category: Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "narcotic"): Derivation: NARCOTIC (adjective) Sense1 Meaning: Of or relating to or designating narcotics Classified under: Relational adjectives (pertainyms) Context example: narcotic stupor Pertainym: Sense2 Meaning: Inducing stupor or narcosis Synonyms: narcotic; Context example: narcotic drugs Similar: Derivation: Sense3 Meaning: Inducing mental lethargy Synonyms: narcotic; Context example: a narcotic speech Similar: Context examples The most powerful pain relievers are narcotics. (Pain Relievers, NIH) The hydrochloride salt form of buprenorphine, a synthetic phenanthrene with narcoti...

Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief. Opioid drugs include prescription pain medicine and illegal drugs. Some people use opioids because of the euphoria (“high”) they can produce. Opioid drugs can cause addiction, also known as • “Opioid” is the proper term, but opioid drugs may also be called opiates, painkillers or narcotics. • All opioids work similarly: They activate an area of nerve cells in the brain and body called opioid receptors that block pain signals between the brain and the body. • Examples of opioids include morphine, heroin, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl. • Symptoms of opioid use include drowsiness, constipation, euphoria, nausea, vomiting and slowed breathing. • A person using opioids over time can develop tolerance, physical dependence and opioid use disorder, with the risk of overdose and death. Medical Uses of Opioids Prescription opioids, when legally prescribed by a doctor and used as directed, can relax the body and relieve symptoms of an illness, an injury or a surgical procedure, such as: • Post-surgical pain • Severe pain due to trauma or disease • Coughing • Diarrhea Opioids may be given orally, via a skin patch, under the tongue or by injection. Opioid Safety Opioid use, even under a doctor’s supervision, can pose risks. Regular use of prescribed medications can increase a person’s...

Noun Mexican authorities’ investigation into the killings resulted in decades-long sentences for at least five narco-satánicos, according to the Associated Press. — María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023 America can no longer tolerate narco-terrorist cartels. — William P. Barr, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2023 The jury reached its decision after hearing testimony from a half-dozen seasoned narco-traffickers. — Nate Schweber, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023 The trial was peppered with glimpses of such narco-extravagances as a private zoo with a lion, a hippo, white tigers and more. — Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2023 For many, Colombia is synonymous with drug cartels and narco-traffickers. — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 21 Aug. 2022 Folk religions have become increasingly popular over the years in the narco-trafficking culture, where participants make offerings to patron saints and pray for drug loads to arrive safely. — Dallas News, 21 Nov. 2022 The US Justice Department announces narco-terrorism and other criminal charges against Maduro and senior leaders from his government. — CNN, 17 Nov. 2022 See More These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narco.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Etymology Noun (sense 1) borrowed from American Spanish, probably short for narcotraficante"drug trafficker," from narco- traficante"dealer, trafficker"; (sense 2) from...

Origin of Narcotic • Middle English narcotik from Old French narcotique from Medieval Latin narcōticum from Greek narkōtikon from neuter of narkōtikos numbing from narkōsis a numbing From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • From Old French narcotique, from Medieval Latin narcoticum, from Ancient Greek ναρκόω (narkóō, “Ι benumb"), from νάρκη (narkÄ“, “numbness, torpor"). From Wiktionary