morphine
UK: ˈmɔːfiːn | US: ˈmɔːrfiːn
n. A highly addictive narcotic drug derived from opium, used medically to relieve severe pain.
morphine = morph<Morpheus (Greek god of dreams)> + ine<chemical suffix>
- morph: Derived from Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, symbolizing the drug's sleep-inducing and pain-relieving properties.
- ine: A suffix commonly used in chemistry to denote alkaloids or other organic compounds.
Etymology Origin:
The term morphine was coined in 1806 by German chemist Friedrich Sertürner, who isolated the compound from opium. He named it after Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, due to its potent sedative effects. The suffix -ine aligns with chemical naming conventions for alkaloids (e.g., caffeine, nicotine). The word reflects both mythological imagery and scientific classification.
Morphine is often administered in hospitals to manage acute pain after surgery.
The patient was given a controlled dose of morphine to alleviate chronic pain.
Prolonged use of morphine can lead to physical dependence.
In the 19th century, morphine was widely used as a painkiller before its addictive potential was fully understood.
The doctor carefully monitored the morphine dosage to avoid side effects.