opiate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative

WordNet

O"pi*ate noun
Etymology
From Opium: cf.F. opiat.
Definitions
  1. Originally, a medicine of a thicker consistence than sirup, prepared with opium. Parr.
  2. Any medicine that contains opium, and has the quality of inducing sleep or repose; a narcotic.
  3. Anything which induces rest or inaction; that which quiets uneasiness.
    They chose atheism as an opiate. Bentley.
O"pi*ate adjective
Etymology
See Opium.
Definitions
  1. Inducing sleep; somniferous; narcotic; hence, anodyne; causing rest, dullness, or inaction; as, the opiate rod of Hermes. Milton.
O"pi*ate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To subject to the influence of an opiate; to put to sleep. R. Fenton.

Webster 1913