Cocaine Meaning

/kə(ʊ)ˈkeɪn/
C1

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounAn addictive drug derived from coca (Erythroxylum) or prepared synthetically, used sometimes medicinally as a local anesthetic and, often illegally, as a stimulant.

nounAn addictive drug derived from coca (Erythroxylum) or prepared synthetically, used sometimes medicinally as a local anesthetic and, often illegally, as a stimulant., The powder form of this drug, specifically.

He is addicted to cocaine.
The police dog found trace amounts of cocaine in his luggage.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police seized a large amount of ____ hidden in the smuggler's truck.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The possession of ____ is illegal in many several countries.

From coca + -ine, from Quechua kuka. First use appears c. 1874.

"Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker-street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature." — 1891 June 25, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Adventure I.—A Scandal in Bohemia.”, in Geo[rge] Newnes, editor, The Strand Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly, volume II, London: George Newnes, Limited, […], published July 1891, →OCLC:
"All I get, uh, is this cup of cold coffee and cocaine / And your ugly face, look out" — 1983, “Cold Coffee & Cocaine”, performed by Prince:
"Cocaine’s awfully expensive stuff, isn't it? Is it worth it?" — 1990, Andrew Davies, Michael Dobbs, House of Cards, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Frank Urquhart (Ian Richardson):
"[…] cocaining the eye, then introducing a speculum, or having an assistant hold the lids open with retractors." — 1895, The Veterinary Magazine, volume 2, page 183:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The police seized a large amount of ____ hidden in the smuggler's truck.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The possession of ____ is illegal in many several countries.

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