cocainize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteTechnical / Historical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “cocainize” mean?
To administer cocaine to someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To administer cocaine to someone; to treat with cocaine.
To subject to the influence of cocaine; to anesthetize or stimulate using cocaine. Historically, to treat a medical condition with cocaine as a local anesthetic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling 'cocainize' is standard in both, though the alternative 'cocainise' is theoretically possible in British English but virtually unattested.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word is archaic and carries connotations of outdated medical practice.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, found almost exclusively in historical medical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cocainize” in a Sentence
[Subject: medical professional] cocainize [Object: patient/body part]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cocainize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The 1890s surgeon would cocainize the nasal passage before operating.
- Early dental manuals advised to cocainize the gum locally.
American English
- The physician decided to cocainize the wound area prior to suturing.
- Historical records show they would cocainize patients for minor procedures.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- The cocainized patient remained conscious but felt no pain.
- A cocainized solution was applied topically.
American English
- The cocainized tissue was ready for incision.
- He described the sensation in the cocainized limb as distant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or medical history papers discussing early anesthetics.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Obsolete term in medical history; not in active clinical use.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cocainize”
- Using it to mean 'to become addicted to cocaine' (incorrect).
- Using it in a modern context (anachronistic).
- Misspelling as 'cocainise' (very rare).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an archaic medical term meaning to administer cocaine as a local anesthetic for a procedure.
No, it is extremely rare and considered obsolete. Modern medicine uses specific, safer anesthetics.
Only in a very specific historical sense. Modern 'anesthetize' uses various drugs, not cocaine. It is not a general synonym.
The related noun is 'cocainization', referring to the process or state of being under the anesthetic influence of cocaine.
To administer cocaine to someone.
Cocainize is usually technical / historical / medical in register.
Cocainize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊ.keɪ.naɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊ.keɪ.naɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a historical 'surgeon' with a 'cane' (coCAINe) giving an injection to 'size up' (ize) the area for surgery.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL TREATMENT IS APPLICATION OF A SUBSTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'cocainize' most accurately used?