noun
codeine
KOH-deen/ˈkəʊdiːn/
An opioid medicine that relieves pain and suppresses coughing.
The coughing man has codeine beside him to relieve his symptoms.
Etymology
“Poppy head” plus a chemical-substance suffix names the drug by its source: codeine is an alkaloid present in opium. The name points to its plant origin rather than its pain-relieving or cough-suppressing effects.
In context
Poppy products like morphine and codeine are essential in hospitals for pain relief
More examples
- These tablets contain both acetaminophen and codeine.
- The pharmacist warns that codeine can cause drowsiness.
- He takes codeine for pain after surgery.
Forms
codeine
Similar words
- morphine
- Morphine is generally stronger and is used mainly for pain.
- dextromethorphan
- Dextromethorphan suppresses coughing but is not used for pain relief.