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

After the Civil War, thousands of veterans became addicted to morphine and opium, which were used to treat battle injuries and illnesses. —Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2024

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Jan. 2025

There was a lot of morphine floating around my system. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

In fact, in 30 of the 89 samples, at least one of the following prescription medications was present: fentanyl (which has around a hundred times the potency of morphine), carisoprodol (which is a skeletal muscle relaxant) or meprobamate, which an anti-anxiety medication. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 23 Dec. 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