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morphine definition

mor·phine (môr′fēn′)

noun

a bitter, white or colorless, crystalline narcotic alkaloid, CHNO·HO, derived from opium and used in medicine to relieve pain
also morphia mor′·phia (-fē ə)

Etymology: Ger morphin or Fr morphine < ModL morphium, so named (1811) by F. W. A. Sertürner (1783-1841), Ger pharmacist < L Morpheus: see Morpheus

Related Forms:

  • morphinic mor·phin′ic (-fē′nik, -fin′ik) adjective

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