o ‧ pi ‧ ate /ˈəʊpiət, ˈəʊpiɪt, -eɪt $ ˈoʊ-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: opiatus , from Latin opium ; ⇨ ↑ opium ]
1 . a drug that contains ↑ opium . Opiates can be used to reduce severe pain and help people to sleep.
2 . something that makes people stop thinking about the problems in their lives so that they stop trying to make their lives better – used to show disapproval:
Hollywood movies were seen as an opiate for the people.