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opiate

o·pi·ate [ ṓpee ət ]


noun  (plural o·pi·ates)
Definition:
 
1. opium-containing drug: a drug that contains opium or an opium derivative, e.g. morphine or heroin

2. sleep-inducing substance: a drug, hormone, or other substance capable of inducing drowsiness and other effects similar to those of opium or its derivatives

3. something with dulling effect: something that has a relaxing, pacifying, or dulling effect
TV, often described as the opiate of the masses



adjective 
Definition:
 
1. containing opium: containing opium or an opium derivative

2. boring: mind-numbingly unexciting, especially because of being simplistic, cliché-ridden, or formulaic



transitive verb  (past and past participle o·pi·at·ed, present participle o·pi·at·ing, 3rd person present singular o·pi·ates)
Definition:
 
1. pharmacology treat somebody with opiate: to treat somebody, or somebody's symptoms, with an opiate

2. dull pain: to dull or deaden pain, anguish, or some other unwanted condition

[15th century. < medieval Latin opiatus< Latin opium (see opium)]
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