heroin

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromἥρως“hero”
2. German · borrowed fromHeroin
3. English todayheroin

Since the 1890s, by genericization from German Heroin, originally a trademark, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “hero”) and the suffix -in (“-ine”). Said to have been called thus to evoke quick and sweeping effect as a painkiller and cough suppressant (its original uses). Alternatively explained as a reference to the heroic school of medicine.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from late 19th century A powerful and addictive drug derived from opium producing intense euphoria, classed as an illegal narcotic in most of the world.