codeine

[ koh-deen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid, C 18 H 21 NO 3 , obtained from opium, used in medicine chiefly as an analgesic or sedative and to inhibit coughing.

codeine

/ ˈkəʊdiːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline alkaloid prepared mainly from morphine and having a similar but milder action. It is used as an analgesic, an antidiarrhoeal, and to relieve coughing. Formula: C 18 H 21 NO 3

codeine

/ kō′dēn′ /

1. An alkaloid narcotic derived from opium or morphine and used primarily as an analgesic and a cough suppressant. Chemical formula: C 18 H 21 NO 3 .

codeine

1. A drug obtained from opium or morphine that is used as a pain reliever and cough remedy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of codeine¹

1830–40; < Greek kṓde ( ia ) head, poppy-head + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of codeine¹

C19: from Greek kōdeia head of a poppy, from kōos hollow place + -ine ²

Example Sentences

The complaint also accuses Metro Boomin of “excessive codeine use,” which allegedly made his behavior “much less predictable.”

From Los Angeles Times

Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer which has caused chaos on the streets of Philadelphia, is now being found across the pond in bootleg codeine, tramadol, Valium and Xanax.

From Salon

"I would drag myself in otherwise, on codeine, with heat patches plastered all over my body," she added.

From BBC

Eventually, Horton found out that her urine came back positive for codeine — an opioid pain reliever typically used in cough medicine.

From Los Angeles Times

Other drugs in this category include Tylenol with codeine, steroids, testosterone and ketamine.

From BBC

Related Words

• drug
• heroin
• morphine
• opiate
• poppy