I. närˈkäd.]ik, -kät], ]ēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English narkotik, from Middle French narcotique, from narcotique, adjective, from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkōtikos benumbing, narcotic, from (assumed) narkōtos (verbal of narkoun to benumb, from narkē numbness, cramp, electric ray) + -ikos -ic — more at snare
1. : a drug (as of the opium, belladonna, or alcohol groups) that in moderate doses allays sensibility, relieves pain, and produces profound sleep but that in poisonous doses produces stupor, coma, or convulsions — often used in the plural in attributive position
narcotics addiction
2. : something that soothes, relieves, or lulls
a public comforted by the narcotic of military supremacy
II. (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\ adjective
Etymology: French or Medieval Latin; French narcotique, from Medieval Latin narcoticus
1. : having the properties of or yielding a narcotic ; sometimes : inducing mental lethargy : soporiferous
a narcotic speech
2. : of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics
3. : of, involving, or for narcotic addicts or their care
III. noun
: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether in fact physiologically narcotic and addictive or not