Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Opiate
1.
Originally, a medicine of a thicker consistency than sirup, prepared with opium.
Parr.
2.
Any medicine that contains opium, and has the quality of inducing sleep or repose; a narcotic.
3.
Anything which induces rest or inaction; that which quiets uneasiness.
They chose atheism as an
opiate
. Bentley.
O′pi-ate
,Adj.
[See
Opium
.] Inducing sleep; somniferous; narcotic; hence, anodyne; causing rest, dullness, or inaction;
as, the
. opiate
rod of HermesMilton.
O′pi-ate
,Verb.
T.
To subject to the influence of an opiate; to put to sleep.
[R.]
Fenton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Opiate
O'PIATE
,Noun.
1.
Primarily, a medicine of a thicker consistence than syrup, prepared with opium.A soft electuary.
Electuaries when soft are call opiata.
But in modern usage generally,
2.
Any medicine that has the quality of inducing sleep or repose; a narcotic.3.
That which induces rest or inaction; that which quiets uneasiness.They chose atheism as an opiate.
O'PIATE
, a.1.
Inducing sleep; soporiferous; somniferous; narcotic.2.
Causing rest or inaction.