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Definition of opiate


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o·pi·ate  audio  (p-t, -t) KEY  

NOUN:
  1. Any of various sedative narcotics containing opium or one or more of its natural or synthetic derivatives.
  2. A drug, hormone, or other chemical substance having sedative or narcotic effects similar to those containing opium or its derivatives: a natural brain opiate. Also called opioid .
  3. Something that dulls the senses and induces relaxation or torpor.
ADJECTIVE:
    1. Containing opium or any of its derivatives.
    2. Resembling opium or its derivatives in activity.
  1. Inducing sleep or sedation; soporific.
  2. Causing dullness or apathy; deadening.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
o·pi·at·ed , o·pi·at·ing , o·pi·ates (-t)
  1. To subject to the action of an opiate.
  2. To dull or deaden as if with a narcotic drug.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Medieval Latin opitum, from Latin opium, opium ; see opium


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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