Definition

A strong and addictive drug made from the dried juice of the opium poppy, often used for pain relief but can cause serious addiction.

Example

The doctor prescribed opium to help manage the patient's severe pain.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of opium?

Yeah, I know it's a powerful drug, but I don't know much about it.

It's really interesting how it comes from poppy plants and has such a long history.

I read that it can be really dangerous if misused.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Opium originates from the Latin word 'opium', which in turn comes from the Greek 'opion' (meaning poppy juice), derived from 'opos' (meaning juice or sap). The word refers to the substance derived from the poppy plant, specifically the milky latex that is extracted from the unripe seed pods.

Memory Tip

Think of 'opium' as the juice ('opos') from the poppy plant, which helps you remember that it refers to a substance derived from poppies.

Visually Confused Words