Acetomorphin

/ˌæsɪtəˈmɔrfɪn/ noun

Definition

A chemical derivative of morphine created by adding an acetyl group to morphine, also known as heroin.

Etymology

From acetyl + morphine, created in the late 1800s by German chemists attempting to modify morphine's properties for medical use.

Kelly Says

Acetomorphin is heroin's scientific name—it reveals the sobering truth that one of the world's most dangerous drugs was literally invented in a chemistry lab as an attempt to make morphine safer and less addictive.

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