morphine

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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

See morphine defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of morphine from the Web

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
After two shots of morphine and a shot of Dilaudid, Pellegrin was still in agony, so the nurse called in an anesthesiologist, who injected nerve blockers into Pellegrin's finger.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "Getting poked by shrimp puts fishing guide in hospital," 26 June 2017
Heroin is, of course, concentrated morphine designed to create euphoria.

— james hamblin, The Atlantic, "Most People Identify as Huggers, Rarely Hug," 24 June 2017
Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and can kill with doses as small as 2 milligrams when drug dealers use it to spike heroin and other opioids.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Assembly takes up bills to tighten election recount rules and fight the opioid fentanyl," 21 June 2017
Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

— linda so, Fox News, "Ohio county claims top spot in America's opioid death spiral," 21 June 2017
In 2007, a doctor in San Luis Obispo stood trial for attempting to hasten the death of a potential organ donor with morphine.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "The Disputed Death of an 8-Year-Old Whose Organs Were Donated," 16 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

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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

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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

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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

Morpheus

\ˈmȯr-fē-əs, -ˌf(y)üs\play play , 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.