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heroin

Pronunciation: /ˈhɛrəʊɪn/

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Definition of heroin

noun

[mass noun]
  • a highly addictive analgesic drug derived from morphine, often used illicitly as a narcotic producing euphoria.
    • Alternative name: diacetylmorphine; chemical formula: C17H17NO(C2H3O2)2

Origin:

late 19th century: from German Heroin, from Latin heros 'hero' (because of its effects on the user's self-esteem)

Do not confuse heroin with heroine. Heroin is an illegal drug, whereas a heroine is the main female character in a film, play, or book, or a woman who is admired for her achievements (she was a true feminist heroine).

heroin in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of heroin in the US English dictionary