narc
UK[nɑːk]US[nɑːrk]
n
A law enforcement officer who enforces laws related to narcotics.
n
A person who informs the police about criminal activities; an informer.
v
To act as an informer; to inform on someone.
Etymology
The word 'narc' is a mid-20th century American English slang term, originating as a clipped form of 'narcotics agent' or 'narcotics officer'. Its logic is purely functional and abbreviative, taking the first syllable of 'narcotics' to create a concise label for a specific role. Over time, its meaning broadened from specifically a drug enforcement officer to a more general term for any police informant, reflecting a shift from the original context to a more generalized sense of 'one who informs on illegal activity'. This evolution showcases how occupational slang can enter wider usage and undergo semantic generalization.
Analysis
This word is a clipped form, not productively built from free or bound morphemes in the traditional sense.
Examples
The undercover narc successfully infiltrated the drug ring.
He was worried his friend might narc on him to the principal.
In the movie, the character turned narc to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.