phencyclidine

noun

phen·​cy·​cli·​dine (ˌ)fen-ˈsi-klə-ˌdēn How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio)
-ˈsī-,
-dən
: a piperidine derivative C17H25N used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride especially as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes illicitly as a psychedelic drug

called also angel dust, PCP

Examples of phencyclidine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Calls about other psychedelics mostly held steady, though those related to hallucinogenic stimulants and phencyclidine (PCP) decreased. Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025 An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner showed that Felix’s cause of death was from acute phencyclidine intoxication. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2024 Ketamine was the more practical stepchild of a more potent and longer acting drug that was developed in the 1950s, called phencyclidine or angel dust. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024 On the Saturday morning of Jan. 21, 1989, Clements went to Gatlin’s apartment after spending the past evening using crack and phencyclidine (PCP), among other drugs, according to court filings. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for phencyclidine 

Word History

Etymology

phen- + cycl- + -idine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phencyclidine was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near phencyclidine

Cite this Entry

“Phencyclidine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phencyclidine. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

phencyclidine

noun
phen·​cy·​cli·​dine (ˈ)fen-ˈsik-lə-ˌdēn How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio) -ˈsī-klə- How to pronounce phencyclidine (audio)
-dən
: a piperidine derivative used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C17H25N·HCl especially as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes illicitly as a psychedelic drug to induce vivid mental imagery

called also angel dust, PCP

More from Merriam-Webster on phencyclidine

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