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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Recent Examples of morphine from the Web

The young nation's drug problem grew because of morphine, a painkiller derived from opium through a chemical process that was perfected by E. Merck & Company of Germany.

— CBS News, "Opioid epidemic shares chilling similarities with the past," 30 Oct. 2017
Alaska keeps a statewide database of all prescribed controlled substances – drugs like oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl and codeine.

— laurel andrews, Alaska Dispatch News, "Alaska emergency rooms start sharing information, with focus on those who use them the most," 13 Sep. 2017
Roughly 26 million die suffering every year due to a major gap in access to morphine and other opioids, a new report shows.

— monique o. madan, miamiherald, "No access to morphine leads to the deaths of 26 million people a year, report says | Miami Herald," 12 Oct. 2017
In certain doses, the drug can be 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine.

— USA TODAY, "Why cocaine cut with fentanyl ‘changes the game’," 20 Oct. 2017
The report says one solution to easing the critical health emergency could be using off-patent morphine that costs pennies a dose —a move that wouldn’t be profitable for drug companies that push pricier opioids in developed countries.

— monique o. madan, miamiherald, "No access to morphine leads to the deaths of 26 million people a year, report says | Miami Herald," 12 Oct. 2017
The arrival in May in New Hampshire of carfentanil — the elephant tranquilizer that is 10,000 times as potent as morphine — has also ratcheted up pressure on his office.

— katharine q. seelye, New York Times, "As Overdose Deaths Pile Up, a Medical Examiner Quits the Morgue," 7 Oct. 2017
Hill said the pair went in and the victim took a full vial of morphine and then locked the office back up, the warrant said.

— sandra gomez-aceves, courant.com, "North Windham Woman Charged With Manslaughter In Fatal Overdose," 25 Sep. 2017
Heroin is produced from morphine, a natural substance drawn from opium poppy plants.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "7 things to know about heroin," 11 Sep. 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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morphine

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morphine

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morphine

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morphine

medical Definition of morphine

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