morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: 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
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The family knows that the situation threatens to return Mary to her severe morphine addiction that was only recently overcome. Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025 In the decades-spanning biopic about legendary French songstress Édith Piaf, 31-year-old Marion Cotillard transformed into a convincing teenage busker, world-famous cabaret singer, and aging, arthritic morphine addict. Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025 Court records show that medical reviewers hired by St. Peter’s highlighted the case of Sharon Dibble, a 75-year-old patient who died shortly after Weiner doubled her morphine prescription. Mara Silvers, ProPublica, 26 Feb. 2025 Citing the coroner, the Daily Mail stated that Ryan would occasionally take morphine belonging to her boyfriend, Abraham-Browne. Becca Longmire, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for morphine

Word History

Etymology

French, from Morpheus

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of morphine was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

morphine

noun
mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on morphine

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