Heroin
/ˈhɛr.oʊ.ɪn/noun
A highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine.
Did you know?The name was introduced by Bayer in 1898 from German Heroisch, meaning “heroic,” because the drug was thought to be a powerful, brave new medicine before its addictive reality became undeniable.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hḗrōs
“a hero, a man of superhuman strength or divine ancestry”
Late Latin
Latin
hērōicus
“heroic, belonging to heroes”
19th Century
German
heroisch
“heroic”
1898
German/English
Heroin
“Bayer’s trademarked name for diacetylmorphine, promoted as a powerful medicinal drug”
Modern English
English
heroin
“an illegal, highly addictive opioid drug”