noun / adjective
narcotic
nar-KAH-tik/nɑːrˈkɑːtɪk/
A drug that dulls pain or awareness, or relating to its effects.
The pump supplies a narcotic to relieve the patient's pain after surgery.
Etymology
The pieces yield the idea ‘making numb.’ The adjective became a name for a substance that blunts sensation or induces sleep, emphasizing the drug’s effects rather than its potential for addiction.
In context
Fentinyl is a very potent narcotic for use for severe pain. Now, fentinyl patch is the form it usually comes in.
More examples
- Some narcotics cause drowsiness as well as pain relief.
- The medication's narcotic effects make driving unsafe.
- She asks whether a narcotic pain reliever is necessary.
Forms
narcotic · narcotics
Similar words
- analgesic
- Relieves pain without necessarily causing drowsiness or dulling awareness.
- sedative
- Primarily calms or induces sleep rather than relieving pain.
- anesthetic
- Blocks sensation locally or produces unconsciousness for medical procedures.