Early 19th century; earliest use found in Annals of Philosophy. From German Morphium from morph- (in French morphine) + -ium, perhaps after opium, though Sertürner refers in a later paper to a deliberate analogy with the names of metals and with Ammonium.
Definition of morphium in US English:
morphium
nounˈmɔːfɪəm
Chemistry historical
Morphine.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Annals of Philosophy. From German Morphium from morph- (in French morphine) + -ium, perhaps after opium, though Sertürner refers in a later paper to a deliberate analogy with the names of metals and with Ammonium.