Definition of narcotic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a drug (such as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
b
: a drug (such as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically (see physiological) addictive and narcotic or not
2
: something that soothes, relieves, or lulls
a public comforted by the narcotic of military supremacy
narcotic
adjectiveDefinition of narcotic (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: having the properties of, being, or yielding a narcotic
narcotic sedatives narcotic coca leaves arrested for the sale of narcotic drugs including heroin … pills containing two common narcotic painkillers—hydrocodone and oxycodone—accounted for about 39 percent of drugs identified in criminal cases that involved prescription medications, according to statistics from the county Crime Laboratory.— David Riley
b
: inducing mental lethargy or stupor
He's still serving up drama in empty, narcotic snippets—life as a series of sound bites.— Owen Gleiberman
2a
: of, involving, or concerned with narcotics : relating to the use of narcotics
narcotic arrests narcotic addiction narcotic enforcement bureaus Narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia were located during the search at the residence on Sacramento Street.— Stacey Adams Naltrexone is a narcotic antagonist that prevents illicit drugs from binding to receptors in the brain without producing any high itself.— Mike Clary
b
: produced by or as if by narcotics
mild narcotic effects narcotic analgesia … a square of melting chocolate on the tongue is so narcotic it instantly provides a traveler with a sense of well-being.— Bert Greene The somnolent atmosphere, typical of his last pictures, conveys a sense of an almost narcotic trance.— Stephen Jones
3
: involving, affecting, or intended for people addicted to or dependent on narcotics
narcotic rehab programs narcotic withdrawal
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for narcotic
The first known use of narcotic was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century