morphine

noun mor·phine \ ˈmȯr-ˌfēn \

Definition of morphine

:a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative

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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine.

— sandra dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Record fentanyl seizure by Mexican military was headed for Tijuana," 25 Aug. 2017
He was arrested earlier this year by Tarrant police - in January - on a charge of trafficking morphine while in possession of a firearm but that case was dismissed in May 2017.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Teen killed in Tarrant during gun dispute; local rapper Two Gunz Vito charged with murder," 14 Aug. 2017
Here's why drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, codeine and morphine are so addictive.

— stacey colino, Good Housekeeping, "The Science Behind Opioids and Why They're So Addictive," 27 July 2017
Hydromorphone is about 7.5 times more potent than morphine.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Former patient: Overland Park pain doctor pushed opioid, nurse asked him to lie," 20 July 2017
Believe it or not, morphine relieves it without hastening death.

— roy wenzl, star-telegram, "Hospice care is about living, not dying, chaplain says," 14 July 2017
Nationally, prescribing peaked at the equivalent of 782 milligrams of morphine per person in 2010, declining to 640 milligrams per person in 2015.

— lenny bernstein, Alaska Dispatch News, "Opioid prescription numbers drop for first time in the modern drug crisis," 6 July 2017
The NFL doctors would give him morphine, Vicodin and OxyContin to deal with the pain and keep him playing, medical attention that stopped with his retirement, the attorney said.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ex-NFL player gets prison for drug dealing conspiracy," 5 July 2017
Many common painkillers — including OxyContin, Vicodin and morphine — are opioids, as are heroin and fentanyl.

— michael auslen, miamiherald, "Did crackdown on ‘pill mills’ open the door to a new opioid crisis?," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'morphine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of morphine

French, from Morpheus

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First Known Use: 1817

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MORPHINE Defined for English Language Learners

morphine

noun

Definition of morphine for English Language Learners

: a powerful drug made from opium that is used to reduce pain

MORPHINE Defined for Kids

morphine

noun mor·phine \ ˈmȯr-ˌfēn \

Definition of morphine for Students

:a habit-forming drug made from opium and used to relieve pain

Medical Dictionary

morphine

noun mor·phine \ ˈmȯr-ˌfēn \

medical Definition of morphine

:a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C₁₇H₁₉NO₃)₂·H₂SO₄·5H₂O or hydrated hydrochloride C₁₇H₁₉NO₃·HCl·3H₂O as an analgesic and sedative

Biographical Note for morphine

Mor*pheus play \ˈmȯr-fē-əs, -ˌf(y)üs\ Greek mythological character. Morpheus was one of the sons of Hypnos, the god of sleep. As a dream-god Morpheus made human shapes appear to dreamers. His two brothers were responsible for sending forms of animals and inanimate things.

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See words that rhyme with morphine Spanish Central: Translation of morphine Nglish: Translation of morphine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of morphine for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about morphine

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