narcotic

[ nahr-kot-ik ]

noun

1. any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, marijuana, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.
2. any controlled substance, whether sedative or stimulant:

   Airports need security solutions that can effectively detect concealed explosives and narcotics.

3. anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence:

   Television is a narcotic for many people.

adjective

1. of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.
2. pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.
3. of or relating to narcotics or their use.
4. used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

narcotic

/ nɑːˈkɒtɪk /

noun

1. any of a group of drugs, such as heroin, morphine, and pethidine, that produce numbness and stupor. They are used medicinally to relieve pain but are sometimes also taken for their pleasant effects; prolonged use may cause addiction
2. anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc
3. any illegal drug

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating narcotics
2. of or relating to narcotics addicts or users
3. of or relating to narcosis

narcotic

/ när-kŏt′ĭk /

1. Any of a group of highly addictive analgesic drugs derived from opium or opiumlike compounds. Narcotics can cause drowsiness and significant alterations of mood and behavior.

Derived Forms

• narˈcotically, adverb

Other Words From

• nar·cot·i·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti·nar·cot·ic adjective noun
• an·ti·nar·cot·ics adjective
• non·nar·cot·ic adjective noun
• pre·nar·cot·ic adjective
• pseu·do·nar·cot·ic adjective noun
• sem·i·nar·cot·ic adjective
• sub·nar·cot·ic adjective
• un·nar·cot·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcotic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun narcotic, narkotik, Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Greek narkōtikón, noun use of neuter of narkōtikós “benumbing,” equivalent to narkō- (stem of narkoûn “to benumb” + -tikos adjective suffix; narco-, -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of narcotic¹

C14: via Medieval Latin from Greek narkōtikós, from narkoūn to render numb, from narkē numbness

Example Sentences

If you are caught using any illicit narcotic, including cannabis, you may find yourself in compulsory rehab.

From BBC

This was not necessarily unpleasant, but it dulled the senses like a narcotic.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite his convictions dating back as far as 2006, he said he was never offered drug treatment beyond a methadone prescription and voluntarily attending Narcotic Anonymous meetings.

From BBC

They appear to work on other unhealthful dependencies such as narcotic and alcohol addiction, and possibly even on Alzheimer’s.

From Los Angeles Times

“With each successful narcotic interdiction, I know for a fact that we’ve saved someone’s life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calming