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heroin

(her′ō in)

noun

a white, crystalline powder, an acetyl derivative of morphine, CHNO(CHO): it is a very powerful, habit-forming narcotic whose manufacture and import are prohibited in the U.S.

Origin: Ger, orig., trademark: coined (1898) by H. Dreser, Ger chemist < Gr hērōs, hero + Ger -in, -ine: ? because of euphoric effect

See heroin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C₁₇H₁₇NO(C₂H₃O₂)₂, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic. Also called diacetylmorphine.

Origin:

Origin: German, originally a trademark

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