opiate

[ noun adjective oh-pee-it, -eyt; verb oh-pee-eyt ]

noun

1. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used in medicine for inducing sleep and relieving pain:

   The opium poppy yields morphine, codeine, and other opiates.

2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. any sedative, soporific, or narcotic:

   Back then, the country physician would concoct all sorts of opiates in a crude kitchen laboratory.

   Synonyms: drug

   Antonyms: stimulant

3. anything that causes dullness or inaction or that soothes the feelings:

   His favorite opiate seems to be a six-pack in front of the TV.

   Synonyms: anodyne

adjective

1. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. mixed or prepared with opium:

   Some opiate substances, such as thebaine, may be more toxic than narcotic.

2. Biochemistry, Pharmacology. inducing sleep; soporific; narcotic:

   Subjects were given a variety of opiate teas over the course of a four-week study.

   Synonyms: sedative

3. causing dullness or inaction:

   The opiate effects of their droning reprimands were legendary.

verb (used with object)

, o·pi·at·ed, o·pi·at·ing.

1. to subject to an opiate; stupefy:

   The violent patients were routinely opiated.

2. to dull or deaden:

   This dreadful music is opiating my spirit.

opiate

noun

1. any of various narcotic drugs, such as morphine and heroin, that act on opioid receptors
2. any other narcotic or sedative drug
3. something that soothes, deadens, or induces sleep

adjective

1. containing or consisting of opium
2. inducing relaxation; soporific

verb

1. to treat with an opiate
2. to dull or deaden

Other Words From

• un·opi·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opiate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French, from Medieval Latin opiātus “bringing sleep,” equivalent to Latin opi(um) “poppy juice” + adjective suffix -ātus; opium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of opiate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin opiātus; from Latin opium poppy juice, opium

Example Sentences

Theranos claimed that it could perform a wildly large number of tests, such as measuring glucose levels and detecting different types of antibodies, or even marijuana and opiates.

From Popular-Science

Brundage’s husband started abusing his medications, especially his opiates, and getting extra pills from coworkers, which Brundage said she told the VA many times.

From The Daily Beast

That’s why, the next month, after a cross-country move—when he went to an East Coast VA hospital for a pancreatic cancer screening and complained about his aching back—he was adamant that he not be given opiates.

From The Daily Beast

Before the flight, he used heroin—and it was the last opiate he ever took.

From Time

So it was like Perc 30s and opiates that were someone’s prescription that we got.

From Freakonomics

The three main types of medication for opiate withdrawal and recovery are methadone, buphrenorphine, and naltrexone.

From The Daily Beast

The FDA approved Suboxone in 2002 to treat opiate addiction.

From The Daily Beast

Although it is also used to control pain, it was created as a way to manage opiate addiction.

From The Daily Beast

For one, despite evidence to their efficacy, many insurance plans will not cover the costs of opiate replacement therapies.

From The Daily Beast

Without a complete overhaul of the opiate world, he worries it will continue.

From The Daily Beast

The hours wore on toward night, and Nita slept under the influence of an opiate administered by the maid.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of his groans and anguish, the old notary was insensible under the influence of an opiate.

From Project Gutenberg

It is here used by Milton as the name of an opiate and it is now occasionally used as a general name for drugs that relieve pain.

From Project Gutenberg

He was evidently under the influence of a heavy opiate, for there was no sign of life, except the faint breathing.

From Project Gutenberg

What a marvelous opiate the ecclesiastics have been injecting into the minds of the masses!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• narcotic
• opium
• sedative
• tranquilizer