a crystalline alkaloid, CHNO, obtained from dried coca leaves: it was once much used in medicine and dentistry to lessen pain, but it is habit-forming when used as a stimulant
Origin:
coca + -ine
See cocaine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A colorless or white crystalline alkaloid, C17H21NO4, extracted from coca leaves, sometimes used in medicine as a local anesthetic especially for the eyes, nose, or throat and widely used as an illicit drug for its euphoric and stimulating effects.