- Definition: A narcotic is a drug or substance that affects mood or behaviour, sold for non-medical purposes, especially an illegal one. In a medical context, narcotics refer to opioids, which are used to treat pain by inducing sleep or stupor. The term is also used more broadly to describe any psychoactive compound with sleep-inducing properties.
- Etymology and Origin: The word “narcotic” comes from the Greek “narkōtikos,” meaning “numbing” or “deadening.” It is derived from “narkō,” which means “I benumb.” The term entered the English language in the early 14th century, originally referring to substances that dull the senses and relieve pain.
Narcotic Definition and Origin: From Ancient Relief to Modern Use
