opium

noun o-PYOM Rare

Origin: Latin opium, from Greek opion (poppy juice)

Usage Note

Opium is used in French both in its literal pharmacological sense and figuratively — Karl Marx's phrase l'opium du peuple ('the opium of the people') is widely cited in French political discourse. The adjective opiacé describes opiate-based substances. It is masculine and invariable in form.

Examples

"L'opium était utilisé comme analgésique autrefois."

Natural Translation

Opium was used as a painkiller in the past.

Literal Translation

Opium was used as an analgesic formerly.

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