heroin
Definitions
A highly addictive illegal narcotic drug made from morphine.
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Root Breakdown
Root-derivedCoined as the trademark Heroin by Bayer in the 1890s, reportedly because early users felt heroisch ('heroic,' strong and invincible) under the drug. So it is literally named after hero — a grim irony, since the drug destroys rather than empowers.
Root hero still carries 5 more wordsWhy It Means This
heroin belongs to the hero family by an unsettling route. When the Bayer company marketed the new morphine-derived drug in the 1890s, they named it Heroin, said to reflect the heroisch ('heroic') feeling of strength and fearlessness it gave test subjects. The drug turned out to be devastatingly addictive, so the 'heroic' name now reads as a tragic misnomer.
Usage Guide
Spelled heroin (no final -e), it is a homophone of heroine (the brave woman). Don't let the shared sound or the hero- in the spelling mislead readers — context makes the difference clear.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The clinic helps people recover from heroin addiction.
- 2.
Police seized a large quantity of heroin at the border.
Easily Confused
heroin vs heroine — Identical in sound, separated by one silent -e. heroin is the drug; heroine is a brave woman or female lead. Remember: the woman gets the extra -e.