meth

UK: mɛθ | US: mɛθ

Definition

  1. n. Informal abbreviation for "methamphetamine," a powerful, addictive stimulant drug.

  2. n. Short for "methanol," a toxic alcohol used industrially.

Structure
meth <abbreviation of "methamphetamine" or "methanol">
Etymology

The term "meth" is a clipped form of two distinct chemical compounds:

  1. Methamphetamine: Derived from the full chemical name methyl (a hydrocarbon group) + amphetamine (a stimulant drug class). The prefix "meth-" here refers to the methyl group (-CH₃) in its chemical structure.
  2. Methanol: From methyl + alcohol, highlighting its composition as the simplest alcohol (CH₃OH).

The colloquial use of "meth" overwhelmingly refers to methamphetamine, popularized in 20th-century drug culture due to its brevity and ease of use.

Examples

  1. The police seized a large quantity of meth in the raid.

  2. Meth addiction has devastating effects on communities.

  3. Methanol poisoning can occur from accidental ingestion.

  4. He was arrested for manufacturing meth in his garage.

  5. Lab tests confirmed the substance was pure meth.