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heroin

Pronunciation: /ˈhɛɹoʊ.ɪn/

The English word “heroin” has 1 meaning listed here.

noun

  1. A powerful and addictive drug derived from opium producing intense euphoria, classed as an illegal narcotic in most of the world.

Etymology

Since the 1890s, by genericization from German Heroin, originally a trademark, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “hero”) and the suffix -in (“-ine”). Said to have been called thus to evoke quick and sweeping effect as a painkiller and cough suppressant (its original uses). Alternatively explained as a reference to the heroic school of medicine.

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