‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr.
a. [ F. narcotique, Gr.
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n. (Med.) A drug which, in medicinal doses, generally allays morbid susceptibility, relieves pain, and produces sleep; but which, in poisonous doses, produces stupor, coma, or convulsions, and, when given in sufficient quantity, causes death. The best examples are opium (with morphine), belladonna (with atropine), and conium. [ 1913 Webster ]
Nercotykes and opye (opium) of Thebes. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Narcotic. [ 1913 Webster ]
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n. [ Cf. F. narcotine. Cf. Cotarnine. ] (Chem.) An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a white crystalline substance, tasteless and less poisonous than morphine; -- called also
a. Pertaining to narcotine. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. F. narcotisme. ] Narcosis; the state of being narcotized. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
adj. under the influence of narcotics.
adj. Inducing stupor or narcosis.