Lexic.us

Definition of Opium

1. Noun. An addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy.

Definition of Opium

1. n. The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy.

Definition of Opium

1. Noun. A yellow-brown, addictive narcotic drug obtained from the dried juice of unripe pods of the opium poppy, ''Papaver somniferum'', and containing alkaloids such as morphine, codeine, and papaverine. ¹

2. Noun. Anything that numbs or stupefies. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Opium

1. an addictive narcotic [n -S]

Medical Definition of Opium

1. The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy. Opium is obtained from incisions made in the capsules of the plant, and the best flows from the first incision. It is imported into Europe and America chiefly from the Levant, and large quantities are sent to China from India, Persia, and other countries. It is of a brownish yellow colour, has a faint smell, and bitter and acrid taste. It is a stimulant narcotic poison, which may produce hallicinations, profound sleep, or death. It is much used in medicine to soothe pain and inflammation, and is smoked as an intoxicant with baneful effects. Opium joint, a low resort of opium smokers. Origin: L, fr. Gr. Poppy juice, dim. Of vegetable juice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Opium

Literary usage of Opium

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1838)
"On opium in Diabetes. By GG SIGMOND, MD—In that singular disease, diabetes, where the functions of the kidneys seem completely changed, and •where the ..."

2. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1911)
"From the ist to the i ath century the opium of Asia Minor appears to have been ... In the loth century opium is mentioned by Pyres (1516) as a production of ..."

3. The Burmese Connection: Illegal Drugs and the Making of the Golden Triangle by Ronald D. Renard (1996)
"In contrast to Burman society, the hill people of Upper Burma were accustomed to taking opium for a variety of ills. opium use became so common in local ..."

4. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"When sufficiently solid tile pieces of opium are packed in cotton bags, ... On the arrival of the opium at its destination, in the end of July or beginning ..."

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