heroin

[ her-oh-in ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C 21 H 23 NO 5 , derived from morphine, formerly used as an analgesic and sedative: manufacture and importation of heroin are now controlled by federal law in the U.S. because of the danger of addiction.

heroin

/ ˈhɛrəʊɪn /

noun

1. a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C 21 H 23 NO 5 Technical namesdiamorphinediacetylmorphine

heroin

/ hĕr′ō-ĭn /

1. A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C 17 H 17 NO(C 2 H 3 O 2 ) 2 , that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

1895–1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, stem of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in ²; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from hero , referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality

Example Sentences

Police said he was under the influence of heroin and found heroin and more than 200 pills in his vehicle.

From Washington Post

Historically, Houry says, the greatest concern surrounding synthetic opioids was that they might be contaminating other opioids, such as heroin.

From Popular-Science

So-called “drug tourism” hasn’t really been a problem for Portugal, but it happened in Switzerland after officials in the 1980s and 1990s began officially “ignoring” heroin in Zurich’s Platzspitz Park.

From No Straight News

She’s cleaning the same streets on which she once used PCP and heroin.

From Washington Post

Looking ahead, Maze wonders if such epigenetic changes might also occur in response to other addictive drugs, including heroin, alcohol and nicotine.

From Quanta Magazine

The correspondent does a stand-up next to a burning pile of heroin and gets a taste of its effect.

From The Daily Beast

Like many rock stars of the time, Ramone lived there on-and-off for a time; he even detoxed from heroin there once.

From The Daily Beast

Keith Green finds Ramone at the Chelsea, trying to kick heroin for good.

From The Daily Beast

Back in 2001, that “definition” of female beauty basically fell into two categories: Playboy chic, or heroin chic.

From The Daily Beast

It remains a Schedule I narcotic to this day, considered as dangerous and addictive by the federal government as heroin and MDMA.

From The Daily Beast

For those who have opium, cocaine, veronal, or heroin to sell can always find a ready market in London and elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

At one time Parke, Davis & Co. admitted that the preparation owed its chief value to heroin.

From Project Gutenberg

Because of its activity the most prominent action would be that characteristic of heroin hydrochlorid.

From Project Gutenberg

Morphine is the chief active principle, and codeine and heroin are the chief derivatives of morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

Codeine is one eighth the strength of morphine; heroin is three times as strong as morphine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dope
• drug
• narcotic
• smack