morphine

[ mawr-feen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, bitter, crystalline alkaloid, C 1 7 H 1 9 NO 3 ⋅H 2 O, the most important narcotic and addictive principle of opium, obtained by extraction and crystallization and used chiefly in medicine as a pain reliever and sedative.

morphine

/ ˈmɔːfiːn; ˈmɔːfɪə /

noun

1. an alkaloid extracted from opium: used in medicine as an analgesic and sedative, although repeated use causes addiction. Formula: C 17 H 19 NO 3

morphine

/ môr′fēn′ /

1. A highly addictive drug derived from opium and used to treat intractable pain, as in severe injury or metastatic cancer.

morphine

1. An addictive drug derived from opium that is used as an analgesic and sedative.

Other Words From

• mor·phin·ic [mawr-, fin, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of morphine¹

From the German word Morphin, dating back to 1820–30. See Morpheus, -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of morphine¹

C19: from French, from Morpheus

Example Sentences

He was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was given morphine for the pain; he lapsed into a coma and died a few weeks later.

From Los Angeles Times

The 50-year-old relies on two different forms of morphine and a high-strength co-codamol to manage the pain.

From BBC

Sir Ed told reporters he administered morphine to his mother to help her deal with the pain of her condition towards the end of her life.

From BBC

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and a leading cause of opioid-related deaths in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

This was once known as the “British system,” where until the 1970s, free heroin, morphine and cocaine were dispensed to registered users with addiction.

From Salon

Related Words

• aspirin
• drug
• medicine
• ointment
• opiate
• sedative
• tranquilizer