narcotic

[nahr-kot-ik] /nɑrˈkɒt ɪk/

noun

any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, 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.

anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence:

Television is a narcotic for many people.

adjective

of or having the power to produce narcosis, as a drug.

pertaining to or of the nature of narcosis.

of or pertaining to narcotics or their use.

used by, or in the treatment of, narcotic addicts.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English narcotik(e) (noun) < Medieval Latin narcōticum < Greek narkōtikón, noun use of neuter of narkōtikós benumbing, equivalent to narkō- (variant stem of narkoûn to benumb; see narco-) + -tikos -tic

Related forms

narcotically, adverb

antinarcotic, adjective, noun

antinarcotics, adjective

nonnarcotic, adjective, noun

prenarcotic, adjective

pseudonarcotic, adjective, noun

seminarcotic, adjective

subnarcotic, adjective

unnarcotic, adjective

Examples from the web for narcotic

He found baggies containing narcotic residue and items of drug paraphernalia with residue on them, according to the warrant.
But some varieties of the hemp plant are used to make marijuana, a narcotic drug.
The towel is then doused with a narcotic scent and hidden inside junk cars or in suitcases rotating on a carousel.
The confiscated narcotic drugs are declared forfeit.
At the time, she was not on narcotic pain medication.
With a partial exception in favor of the hop, tobacco is the sole recognized narcotic of civilization.
He flatly denies that he ever so much as touched, let alone inhaled, any form of illicit narcotic.
Oxygen toxicity, the narcotic effect of nitrogen and high decompression penalty of helium.
Maybe human excretions are some kind of narcotic to them.
It is a narcotic, which means it has the potential to relieve pain while making you feel sleepy.

British Dictionary definitions for narcotic

narcotic

/nɑːˈkɒtɪk/

noun

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

anything that relieves pain or induces sleep, mental numbness, etc

any illegal drug

adjective

of, relating to, or designating narcotics

of or relating to narcotics addicts or users

of or relating to narcosis

Derived Forms

narcotically, adverb

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for narcotic

late 14c., from Old French narcotique (early 14c.), noun use of adjective, and directly from Medieval Latin narcoticum, from Greek narkotikon, neuter of narkotikos "making stiff or numb," from narkotos, verbal adjective of narcoun "to benumb, make unconscious," from narke "numbness, deadness, stupor, cramp" (also "the electric ray"), perhaps from PIE root *(s)nerq- "to turn, twist." Sense of "any illegal drug" first recorded 1926, American English. Related: Narcotics.

adj.

c.1600, from Middle French narcotique (14c.) or German narkotisch and directly from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkotikos (see narcotic (n.)). Related: Narcotical (1580s).

narcotic in Medicine

narcotic nar·cot·ic (när-kŏt'ĭk)
n.
A drug derived from opium or opiumlike compounds, with potent analgesic effects associated with significant alteration of mood and behavior, and with the potential for dependence and tolerance following repeated administration. adj.
Capable of inducing a state of stuporous analgesia.

narcotic in Science

narcotic

(när-kŏt'ĭk)
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.