What does "dope" mean?
Dope: Any preparation, as of opium, used to stupefy or, in the case of a race horse, to stimulate. [Slang or Cant]
Additional senses
- 2.An absorbent material; esp., in high explosives, the sawdust, infusorial earth, mica, etc., mixed with nitroglycerin to make a damp powder (dynamite, etc.) less dangerous to transport, and ordinarily explosive only by suitable fulminating caps.
- 3.Information concerning the previous performances of race horses, or other facts concerning them which may be of assistance in judging of their chances of winning future races; sometimes, similar information concerning other sports. [Sporting Slang]
- 4.To treat or affect with dope; as, to dope nitroglycerin; specif.: (a) To give stupefying drugs to; to drug. [Slang] (b) To administer a stimulant to (a horse) to increase his speed. It is a serious offense against the laws of racing. [Race-track Slang]
- 5.To judge or guess; to predict the result of, as by the aid of dope. [Slang]
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00