phencyclidine

noun

phen·​cy·​cli·​dine (ˌ)fen-ˈsi-klə-ˌdēn How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio)
-ˈsī-,
-dən
: a piperidine derivative C17H25N used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride especially as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes illicitly as a psychedelic drug

called also angel dust, PCP

Examples of phencyclidine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner showed that Felix’s cause of death was from acute phencyclidine intoxication. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2024 Ketamine was the more practical stepchild of a more potent and longer acting drug that was developed in the 1950s, called phencyclidine or angel dust. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024 On the Saturday morning of Jan. 21, 1989, Clements went to Gatlin’s apartment after spending the past evening using crack and phencyclidine (PCP), among other drugs, according to court filings. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2023 While no other contributing cause of death is listed in the coroner’s report, Coolio had the following conditions at the time of his death: cardiomyopathy, asthma and recent phencyclidine use. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for phencyclidine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phencyclidine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

phen- + cycl- + -idine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phencyclidine was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near phencyclidine

Cite this Entry

“Phencyclidine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phencyclidine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

phencyclidine

noun
phen·​cy·​cli·​dine (ˈ)fen-ˈsik-lə-ˌdēn How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio) -ˈsī-klə- How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio)
-dən
: a piperidine derivative used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C17H25N·HCl especially as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes illicitly as a psychedelic drug to induce vivid mental imagery

called also angel dust, PCP

More from Merriam-Webster on phencyclidine

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