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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Drug Definition: Medication and Illegal Substance Explained (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：medication (drug)

drug 🔊

/drʌɡ/

A chemical substance that a doctor gives you to treat an illness, ease pain, or keep you healthy.

medication 🔊

➕

/ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/

A chemical substance, either natural or synthetic, that is used to prevent, treat, or cure diseases and relieve symptoms, typically prescribed by a doctor.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'drogue', likely from Low German 'droge' (dry), for dried medicinal herbs.

💡 Mnemonic

DR. UG prescribes pills: DR-UG. Think of a doctor named Dr. Ug giving you medicine.

📖 Example

After catching a cold, the doctor prescribed a drug to help reduce my fever and clear my blocked nose. 🔊 After catching a cold, the doctor prescribed a drug to help reduce my fever and clear my blocked nose.

🔗 Collocations

prescription drug – A medication that requires a doctor's authorization to be dispensed.

over-the-counter drug – A medication that can be bought without a prescription.

drug therapy – Treatment using drugs to manage or cure a disease.

🔄 Synonyms

medicine (n.) – A substance used for treating illness, often synonymous with drug in medical contexts.

pharmaceutical (n.) – A medicinal drug manufactured by a pharmaceutical company.

remedy (n.) – A substance or treatment that cures or relieves a condition.

🚫 Antonyms

placebo (n.) – An inert substance with no therapeutic effect, used as a control in trials.

poison (n.) – A substance that causes harm or death, opposite of a healing drug.

🌱 Derivatives

druggist (n.) – A person who prepares and sells drugs; a pharmacist.

drugstore (n.) – A store where drugs and other items are sold.

📖 Cultural Story

The term entered English via Old French 'drogue', originally referring to dried herbs used in apothecaries. In the 20th century, it acquired a strong association with illegal narcotics due to international drug control laws.

Meaning 2：illegal substance (drug)

drug 🔊

/drʌɡ/

An illegal chemical substance that people take for pleasure, which can be very harmful and addictive.

Evidence bag with confiscated white powder illegal drug

illegal substance 🔊

➕

/ɪˈliːɡəl ˈsʌbstəns/

A chemical substance that is prohibited by law because of its potential for abuse, addiction, and harm, often used recreationally.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The police launched a major campaign to stop the illegal trade of dangerous drugs in the city. 🔊 The police launched a major campaign to stop the illegal trade of dangerous drugs in the city.

🔗 Collocations

illegal drug – A drug whose possession, use, or sale is forbidden by law.

drug abuse – The harmful or excessive use of drugs, especially illegal ones.

drug trafficking – The illegal trade of controlled substances.

🔄 Synonyms

narcotic (n.) – A drug that induces sleep or stupor, often used illegally.

contraband (n.) – Goods that are illegal to import or export, commonly referring to drugs.

dope (n.) – Slang for an illegal drug, especially marijuana or heroin.

🚫 Antonyms

legal substance (n.) – A substance whose use is permitted by law, such as alcohol or tobacco (in some regions).

medicine (n.) – A drug used for lawful medical purposes, in contrast to recreational illegal drugs.

🌱 Derivatives

drug dealer (n.) – A person who sells illegal drugs.

drug addict (n.) – A person who is addicted to drugs.