Definition

A substance derived from opium that is used to relieve pain, suppress coughs, and induce sleep.

Example

The doctor prescribed codeine to help manage her pain after surgery.

Conversation

Have you ever tried codeine for a cough?

No, I haven't, but I've heard it works really well.

Yeah, my doctor recommended it when I had a bad cold.

That sounds helpful! I should ask about it next time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Codeine originates from the Greek word 'kodeia' (meaning poppy head), which refers to the opium poppy from which codeine is derived. The suffix '-ine' is often used in chemistry to denote substances, particularly alkaloids. Thus, codeine is a substance derived from the poppy plant.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for poppy head ('kodeia') to remember that codeine comes from the opium poppy.

Visually Confused Words