Meaning & use
Opium
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An addictive narcotic drug prepared from the dried latex of the opium poppy, used historically as a painkiller and recreational drug, and as the source of morphine and heroin.
See it in a sentence
Opium was widely used as a painkiller in the 19th century before its addictive dangers were fully understood.
The trade of opium played a significant role in conflicts between China and Britain in the 1800s.
A note on using this word
The 19th-century Opium Wars between China and Britain were fought largely over the illegal opium trade, reshaping East-West relations for decades.
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