narcotic

¹nar·cot·ic

noun \när-ˈkä-tik\

Definition of NARCOTIC

1

a : a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions

b : a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not

2

: something that soothes, relieves, or lulls

Examples of NARCOTIC

1. <an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done>

Origin of NARCOTIC

Middle English narkotik, from Middle French narcotique, from narcotique, adjective, from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkōtikos, from narkoun to benumb, from narkē numbness — more at snare

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NARCOTIC

Synonyms

anesthetic, anodyne, opiate

Related Words

security blanket; pacifier, palliative; hypnotic, sedative, soporific, tranquilizer (also tranquillizer)

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

Rhymes with NARCOTIC

aquatic, biotic, chaotic, cirrhotic, demotic, despotic, ergotic, erotic, exotic, hypnotic, kyphotic, leprotic, lordotic, meiotic, mitotic, necrotic, neurotic, Nilotic, osmotic, psychotic, quixotic, robotic, sclerotic, thrombotic, zygotic

²narcotic

adjective

Definition of NARCOTIC

1

a : having the properties of or yielding a narcotic

b : inducing mental lethargy

2

: of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics

3

: of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts

— nar·cot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of NARCOTIC

1. <some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people>
2. <the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake>

First Known Use of NARCOTIC

1526

Related to NARCOTIC

Synonyms

calming, comforting, dreamy, lulling, soothing, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing)

Antonyms

stimulant

Related Words

hypnotic, opiate; analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, deadening, depressant, numbing; antianxiety, antidepressant, antidepression, antistress

Near Antonyms

painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, unsettling, worrisome; energizing, invigorating, stimulant, stimulating; aggravating, annoying, bothersome, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, grating, harassing, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, troublesome, vexatious, vexing

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

Rhymes with NARCOTIC

aquatic, erotic, exotic, hypnotic, neurotic, psychotic, sclerotic

narcotic

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Drug that produces analgesia (see analgesic), narcosis (stupor or sleep), and drug addiction. In most people narcotics also produce euphoria. Those that occur naturally in the opium poppy, notably morphine, have been used since ancient Greek times. The main therapeutic use of narcotics is for pain relief. Most countries limit the production, sale, and use of narcotics because of their addictive properties and detrimental effects and the incidence of drug abuse. With the development in the 19th century of the hypodermic needle and of heroin, five to 10 times as potent as morphine, the use and abuse of narcotics increased dramatically. A narcotic overdose can cause central nervous system depression, respiratory failure, and death.