Defn: The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy.
Note: Opium is obtained 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, and large quantities are sent to China from India, Persia, and other countries. It is of a brownish yellow color, has a faint smell, and bitter and acrid taste. It is a stimulant narcotic poison, which may produce hallicinations, profound sleep, or death. It is much used in medicine to soothe pain and inflammation, and is smoked as an intoxicant with baneful effects. Opium joint, a low resort of opium smokers. [Slang]
OPLE TREE
O"ple tree`. Etym: [L. opulus a kind of maple tree.]
Defn: The witch-hazel. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
OPOBALSAM; OPOBALSAMUM
Op`o*bal"sam, Op`o*bal"sa*mum, n. Etym: [L. opobalsamum, Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The old name of the aromatic resinous juice of the Balsamodendron opobalsamum, now commonly called balm of Gilead. See under Balm.
OPODELDOC Op`o*del"doc, n. Etym: [So called by Paracelsus. The first syllable may be fr. Gr.
1. A kind of plaster, said to have been invented by Mindererus, — used for external injuries. [Obs.]
2. A saponaceous, camphorated liniment; a solution of soap in alcohol, with the addition of camphor and essential oils; soap liniment.
OPOLCHENIE
Op`ol*che"ni*e, n. [Russ., fr. opolchit' to make an army, polk army.
Cf. Folk.] (Russia)