heroin

Meaning

A powerful and addictive drug derived from opium producing intense euphoria, classed as an illegal narcotic in most of the world.

Synonyms

diacetylmorphine

heroine

🦸‍♀️

diamorphine

scag

sugar

horse

🐴

second to none

cocaine

strong drug

jones

china white

Translations

héroïne

🦸‍♀️

eroina

heroína

🦸‍♀️

Heroin

heroïne

heroína

🦸‍♀️

ηρωίνη

eroin

heroïna

هيروين

caballo

🐴

diacétylmorphine

heroïne

héro

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɛɹoʊ.ɪn/

Etymology

Since the 1890s, from German Heroin, originally a trademark, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “hero”) and the suffix -in (“-ine”). Said to have been called thus to evoke quick and sweeping effect as a painkiller and cough suppressant (its original uses). Alternatively explained as a reference to the heroic school of medicine.