ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈke-tə-ˌmēn  ˈkē- 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously and intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces

Note: Ketamine is also called Special K when used as a recreational drug

Examples of ketamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arlo frustratingly runs away, while Maggie follows James into the barn with the ketamine syringe. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024

Cause of Death: Overdose Perry’s accidental overdose from ketamine in October 2023 caused a national outpouring of shock and grief, especially as the actor was publicly open about his past substance abuse and addiction issues. —Lisette Voytko-Best, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Trace amounts of ketamine were found in his stomach, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

To try to subdue him, paramedics injected him with 500 milligrams of ketamine, enough for someone close to twice his weight. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + amine

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces see special k