ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cocaine

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //koʊˈkeɪn// UK //kəʊkˈeɪn// co·caine

n. a powerful and illegal drug that people use to feel very excited and energetic. It is usually a white powder that is breathed in through the nose.

n. a potent, addictive stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant, typically processed into a white crystalline powder. It acts on the central nervous system to produce euphoria and increased energy.


SIMPLE

The police found a large amount of cocaine in the car.

CONTEXTUAL

Customs officers at the border are trained to detect hidden shipments of cocaine inside commercial cargo.

COMPLEX

The rise of international trafficking networks in the late twentieth century led to a significant increase in the global availability of cocaine and other illicit substances.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance; occasionally used as a countable noun in forensic or legal contexts to refer to specific batches or types.

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