morphine, n. Chem.
(ˈmɔːfɪn)
Also -in.
[a. G. morphin (Sertürner 1816), f. Morph-eus: see -ine.]
The most important alkaloid narcotic principle of opium, largely used in medicine to alleviate pain.
| 1828 Lancet 2 Feb. 663/1 Morphine..is the narcotic principle of opium. 1850 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 115 Took morphine last night, and slept some. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Morphin. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 734 Morphine is only a palliative. |
b. attrib., as
morphine habit,
morphine salt,
morphine taker;
morphine injection, a hypodermic injection of morphine;
morphine injector, a medical man addicted to the practice of morphine injection;
morphine syringe = morphia syringe.
| 1892 Gunter Miss Dividends (1893) 45 Effects more demoralizing than the *morphine habit. |
| 1878 tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. XVII. 857 *Morphine injection also exercises an influence on those addicted to it. |
| Ibid. 117 A considerable number of *morphine-injectors have sprung up—chiefly young doctors—who carry on this pernicious practice. |
| c 1865 in Circ. Sci. I. 417/1 *Morphine salts are..chiefly employed. |
| 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 885 The *morphine syringe was invented during my student days. |
| 1899 Ibid. VIII. 317 Sulphate of spartein is used by some *morphine takers. |
Hence
ˈmorphine v. trans., to drug with morphine.
morˈphinic a., relating to morphine (
Syd. Soc. Lex. 1891).
ˈmorphinism, the effect of morphine on the human system; the practice of injecting morphine into the system.
ˈmorphinist, one who takes morphine to excess; also
attrib. morphiniˈzation, the producing of the physiological action of morphine in the system by internal administration or hypodermic use (
Syd. Soc. Lex.).
ˈmorphinize v. trans., to treat with morphine.
| 1856 Neale Mediæval Preachers Introd. 15 Their somnolence morphinized into death. 1874 Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life (1891) III. 236 When you were morphined out of your wits, anything might pass. 1882 Morphinism [see morphiomania]. 1894 Blackw. Mag. Nov. 583 Dipsomaniacs, morphinists and epileptics. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 882 The children of three morphinist mothers were fairly healthy. 1899 Ibid. VIII. 423 The worst case of morphinism I have seen. |