narcotic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   inducing mental lethargy

   The candidate gave a narcotic speech.

2. 2
   adj

   inducing stupor or narcosis

   Narcotic drugs are used by many members of society.

3. 3
   adj

   of, relating to, or designating narcotics

   The narcotic addicts were arrested by the police.

4. 4
   noun

   a drug that produces numbness or stupor

   There was a pile of narcotics on the table.

From Middle English narcotyk, from Middle French narcotique (from Old French narcotique, noun use of adjective) and directly from Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Ancient Greek ναρκωτῐκόν (narkōtĭkón), neuter of ναρκωτῐκός (narkōtĭkós), from Ancient Greek ναρκόω (narkóō, “to benumb”), from νάρκη (nárkē, “numbness, torpor”).

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