The word "freebase" refers to a method of smoking drugs. The spelling of the word is based on the phonetic pronunciation of the two separate words, "free" and "base." In IPA phonetic transcription, "free" is pronounced /fri:/ with a long "i" sound, and "base" is pronounced /beɪs/ with a diphthong containing a long "a" sound. When combined, the pronunciation becomes /fribɛɪs/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The spelling accurately represents the phonetic sounds of the word, allowing for clear communication and understanding.
Freebase is a term with multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. One of its definitions relates to a method of drug administration, specifically the process of inhaling or smoking a substance in its base form. In this sense, freebase refers to a drug, typically cocaine, that has been chemically processed using a base, often ammonia, to remove impurities and create a crystalline form that can be smoked. This improves the drug's volatility, enhances its potency, and increases the speed at which it reaches the brain, resulting in a more intense and immediate high.
Another usage of the term freebase is connected to software and technology. In this context, freebase refers to a now-defunct online database and knowledge graph developed by Metaweb. The project aimed to create a vast collection of structured data on various topics and entities, enabling users to explore and contribute information. Freebase utilized a concept called triple store, which stored data in the form of subject-predicate-object triples, creating a network of interconnected information. It offered an API for developers to access and utilize the data for different applications, such as search engines or recommendation systems. However, Freebase was later closed and integrated into Wikimedia projects, with its content being assimilated into Wikidata.
Overall, the term freebase can refer to a drug in its base form, usually associated with smoking, or a former online database that aimed to provide a vast collection of structured information.
The word "freebase" originated in the 1960s as a term within drug culture. It refers to the process of converting cocaine hydrochloride into its base form, making it more suitable for smoking or vaporizing.
The term itself is a combination of two words: "free" and "base". "Free" in this context refers to the removal of the hydrochloride component, which is a salt form that limits the drug's volatility and ability to be smoked. "Base" indicates the base form of a substance, which is chemically non-acidic.
It's worth noting that the term "freebase" and the practice of freebasing have been associated with significant health risks due to the volatile nature of the process and the addictive nature of the substance.