Morphin

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A powerful narcotic pain reliever extracted from the opium poppy and widely used in medicine to ease severe pain
2. A strong addictive analgesic obtained from opium that doctors prescribe to relieve intense suffering after surgery or injury
3. An opiate alkaloid made from the opium poppy, used as a potent medication to control serious pain

Etymology: Morphin is simply an older spelling of morphine, the alkaloid drug extracted from opium. The name goes back to Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, who in Greek myth shaped human forms in sleep; the Greek name itself is built on "morphē," meaning "form" or "shape." The drug was named for him because of its sleep-inducing effects. The name reached English by way of French "morphine" or German "Morphin," both formed from the Greek divine name. The spelling "morphin" was the earlier, shorter form, and it was gradually replaced by the "-e" ending that now marks the standard word.