nar|cot´i|cal|ly

nar|cot|ic «nahr KOT ihk», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a) any drug that produces dullness, drowsiness, sleep, or an insensible condition, and lessens pain by dulling the nerves. Opium and drugs made from it are powerful narcotics. Narcotics are used in medicine in controlled doses, but taken in excess cause systemic poisoning, delirium, paralysis, or even death. SYNONYM(S): opiate, anodyne. b) (as defined by U.S. narcotics laws) any drug that causes either physical or psychological addiction, such as marijuana, amphetamines, and LSD.

2. a person who has narcotism; drug addict.

3. Figurative. anything that numbs, soothes, or dulls: »

The sad, mechanic exercise Like dull narcotics, numbing pain (Tennyson).

–adj.

1. having the properties and effects of a narcotic; producing stupor or an insensible condition: »

a narcotic drug. Figurative. He…habitually fell asleep at that horrible council-board…while the other murderers had found their work less narcotic (John L. Motley).

2. of or having to do with narcotics or their use: »

a narcotic addict.

3. having to do with or intended for use in the treatment of drug addicts: »

a narcotic substitute.

╂[< Greek narkōtikós < narkoûn to benumb < nárkē numbness]

–nar|cot´i|cal|ly, adverb.