morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: 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

Examples of morphine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gunn’s blood tested positive for morphine while his urine tested positive for for other opiates, police said. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024

Green Dragon was essentially a distribution operation, buying larger quantities of both heroin and morphine, processing them for street sale, and then selling that product to street-level dope pushers. —Carol Roark, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2024

The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner confirmed to PEOPLE in January 2009 that Andre had died from an overdose of heroin and morphine. —Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024

Kay had used opioids enough to know black market oxycodone pills might be laced with dangerous drugs such as fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Morpheus

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain

Etymology

derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"

Medical Definition

morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: 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