First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1narcotic
noun nar·cot·ic \när-ˈkä-tik\
: a drug (such as cocaine, heroin, or marijuana) that affects the brain and that is usually dangerous and illegal
medical : a drug that is given to people in small amounts to make them sleep or feel less pain
Full Definition of NARCOTIC
1
a : a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions b : a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not
2
: something that soothes, relieves, or lulls
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Origin of NARCOTIC
Middle English narkotik, from Middle French narcotique, from narcotique, adjective, from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkōtikos, from narkoun to benumb, from narkē numbness — more at snare
Related to NARCOTIC
- Synonyms
- anesthetic, anodyne, opiate
Other Drug/Tobacco Terms
2narcotic
adjective
Definition of NARCOTIC
1
a : having the properties of or yielding a narcotic b : inducing mental lethargy
2
: of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics
3
: of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts
— nar·cot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
First Known Use of NARCOTIC
1526
Related to NARCOTIC
- Synonyms
- calming, comforting, dreamy, lulling, soothing, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing)
- Antonyms
- stimulant
Other Drug/Tobacco Terms
NARCOTIC Defined for Kids
1narcotic
noun nar·cot·ic \när-ˈkä-tik\
Definition of NARCOTIC for Kids
: a drug that in small doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and brings on sleep but in larger doses has dangerous effects, that includes some (as morphine) that are used in medicine and others (as heroin) that are used illegally, and that often causes addiction
2narcotic
adjective
Definition of NARCOTIC for Kids
: of, relating to, or being a narcotic <narcotic drugs> <narcotic laws>
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