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

The attorney general noted that fentanyl, which is relatively cheap to produce and 100 times the strength of morphine, is the leading cause of death among those aged 18 to 45. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024

Officials attribute the surge to fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that’s up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

But if the fear of sliding down a slippery slope is so great, then other important medical decisions would never have been approached, such as allowing hospice patients to have very large amounts of morphine at their homes. —Linda Marie Thayer, Twin Cities, 3 Mar. 2024

In Fred Zinnemann’s A Hatful of Rain, based on the emotional Broadway play by Michael V. Gazzo, Murray portrayed Johnny Pope, a Korean War veteran who returns home to his pregnant wife (Eva Marie Saint) with a secret addiction to morphine. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024

It’s converted into morphine by the liver and can cause confusion, breathing difficulties, dizziness and other issues. —Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

Because of drug shortages, morphine is hard to come by in Mexico, and so the anesthesiologist, who moved between both clinics, likely purchased it on the black market, said Smith, who was an author on the new report. —Barbara Mantel, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024

Hospital staff have been using ketamine as the morphine supply has run out. —Zoe Magee, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2023

Authorities warn of the deadly perils of fentanyl abuse Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine, another common opioid. —Isabel Rosales, CNN, 1 Mar. 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