The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. A bitter crystalline alkaloid, C17H19NO3·H2O, extracted from opium, the soluble salts of which are used in medicine as an analgesic, a light anesthetic, or a sedative. Also called morphia.
n. A crystalline alkaloid (7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-17-methyl-morphinan-3,6-diol), extracted from opium, the salts of which are soluble in water and are used as analgesics, anaesthetics and sedatives; it is one of a group of morphine alkaloids.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A bitter white crystalline alkaloid found in opium, possessing strong narcotic properties, and much used as an anodyne; -- called also morphia, and morphina.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. An alkaloid, C17H19N03, the most important narcotic principle of opium.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium; a powerful, habit-forming narcotic used to relieve pain
Word Usage
"It's pretty obvious Gonzales was hoping that Ashcroft was swimming in morphine and ready to sign anything."