drug
UK[drʌɡ]US[drʌɡ]
n
A substance used as a medicine or in making medicines, especially a chemical substance.
n
An illegal and often harmful substance that people take for pleasure or to feel different.
Etymology
The origin of the word 'drug' is somewhat obscure. It likely entered English in the Middle English period as 'drogge', borrowed from Middle Dutch 'droge' or Old French 'drogue', meaning 'dry' goods, specifically referring to dry herbs and barrels. This commercial term for dried medicinal plants gradually narrowed in meaning. Over centuries, its semantic field evolved from a general term for any ingredient used in chemistry, pharmacy, or dyeing to its modern, dual specialization: a licensed medicinal substance and, more recently, an illicit psychoactive compound.
Analysis
The word 'drug' is a simplex word of uncertain, likely Germanic origin. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The doctor prescribed a new drug for her condition.
He was arrested for possession of illegal drugs.
The development of the drug took over a decade of research.