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Added 9 October 2026

narcotic

/nɑːˈkɒtɪk/ noun

Latin root: narcōticum Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about narcotic at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction.

adjective

Of or relating to or designating narcotics.
narcotic addicts
Inducing stupor or narcosis.
narcotic drugs
Inducing mental lethargy.
a narcotic speech

Origin

From Middle English narcotyk, from Middle French narcotique (from Old French narcotique, noun use of adjective) and directly from Medieval Latin narcōticum, from Ancient Greek ναρκωτῐκόν (narkōtĭkón), neuter of ναρκωτῐκός (narkōtĭkós), from Ancient Greek ναρκόω (narkóō, “to benumb”), from νάρκη (nárkē, “numbness, torpor”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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