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pa·pav·er·ine

(pə-păvə-rēn′, -ər-ĭn)

A nonnarcotic alkaloid obtained from the opium poppy, C₂₀H₂₁NO₄, structurally distinct from morphine and other opiates, used in its hydrochloride form to relieve spasms of smooth muscle.

[Latin papāver, poppy + -INE².]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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