pethidine

English

Chemical structure of pethidine

Etymology

Blend of p(iper)idine +‎ eth(yl).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɛθ.ɪ.diːn/

Noun

pethidine (countable and uncountable, plural pethidines)

1. (pharmacology) A synthetic compound used as a painkilling drug, especially for women in labor.
   • 2000, JG Ballard, Super-Cannes, Fourth Estate, published 2011, page 125:

     Inside was a clutter of prescription pads and a carton containing a collection of diamorphine syrettes and a dozen ampoules of pethidine.

Synonyms

• isonipecaine
• lidol
• meperidine (USAN name)
• operidine
• pethanol
• piridosal

Derived terms

• -ethidine (“analgesic”)

References

• “pethidine”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “pethidine”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.