ŏ'pi-ŭm, n.

n. [Lat. opium, Gr. ὄπιον, poppy-juice, diminutive of ὀπός, vegetable juice; Fr. opium, Pr. opion, Sp. & Pg. opio, It. oppio.] The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy. ☞ Opium, as first obtained, flows from incisions made in the capsules of the plant, and the best flows from the first incision. It is imported into Europe and America chiefly from the Levant, in cakes or masses weighing from eight ounces to a pound. It is heavy, of a dense texture, of a brownish-yellow color, not perfectly dry, and easily receiving an impression from the finger. It has a faint smell, and its taste is bitter and acrid. It is of great use as a medicine. Brande. Ure.