Codeine - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Codeine is a mild opioid medication used to relieve pain and suppress coughs. It is often prescribed for short-term treatment and can cause drowsiness or dependence if misused.
Definition:
A narcotic alkaloid derived from morphine, used as a pain reliever and cough suppressant.
Synonyms:
opiate, narcotic, analgesic, painkiller
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
stimulant, non-narcotic
Common Collocations:
codeine phosphate, codeine cough syrup, codeine addiction, codeine dosage
Derivatives:
codeinic, codiene (variant spelling)
Usage Tips:
Use "codeine" to refer specifically to the medicinal compound; avoid casual references due to its controlled status.
Common Phrases:
codeine high, codeine dependence, cough syrup with codeine
Etymology:
From French "codéine," derived from Greek "kōdeia" (poppy head) and the chemical suffix "-ine."
Examples:
- 1. The doctor prescribed codeine for her severe back pain.
- 2. Codeine is often found in prescription cough syrups.
- 3. Misusing codeine can lead to addiction and health risks.
- 4. He took a small dose of codeine to relieve his headache.