antinarcotics
|an-ti-nar-cot-ics|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.nɑrˈkɑ.tɪks/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.nɑːˈkɒ.tɪks/
(antinarcotic)
against narcotics
Etymology
'antinarcotics' is formed in modern English by prefixing 'anti-' (meaning 'against') to 'narcotics.'
'narcotics' comes from Greek 'narkōtikos' (ναρκωτικός) from 'narkē' (νήρκη) meaning 'numbness,' via Medieval Latin and Old French into English; the prefix 'anti-' is from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against', and the compound 'antinarcotics' developed in English in the 20th century to denote opposition to narcotics.
Originally 'narcotic' referred to substances producing numbness; over time it came to mean (especially in legal and common use) certain illegal or controlled drugs. 'Antinarcotics' has meant opposition to or measures against such drugs since its formation and retains that sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
actions, policies, agencies, or operations aimed at preventing, controlling, or enforcing laws against narcotics (illegal drugs).
The country's antinarcotics efforts have led to several major drug seizures this year.
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Adjective 1
intended to oppose, prevent, or control narcotics; relating to activities or units that combat illegal drugs.
An antinarcotics unit conducted the raid on the warehouse.
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Last updated: 2025/09/04 21:22