agonist

ag·o·nist  (g-nst)

n.

1. One involved in a struggle or competition.

2. Physiology A contracting muscle that is resisted or counteracted by another muscle, the antagonist.

3. Biochemistry A drug or other chemical that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiologic reaction typical of a naturally occurring substance.

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[Late Latin agnista, contender, from Greek agnists, from agn, contest; see agony.]

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agonist [ˈægənɪst]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) any muscle that is opposed in action by another muscle Compare antagonist [2]

2. a competitor, as in an agon

[from Greek agōn agon]

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ag•o•nist (ˈæg ə nɪst)

n.

1. a person engaged in a contest, conflict, struggle, etc., esp. the protagonist in a literary work.

2. a person who is torn by inner conflict.

3. a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle. Compare antagonist (def. 3).

4. a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response. Compare antagonist (def. 5).

[1620–30; < Late Latin agōnista < Greek agōnistḗs contestant =agṓn agon + -istēs -ist]

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agonist  (g-nst)

1. A muscle that actively contracts to produce a desired movement.

2. A chemical substance, especially a drug, that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiologic response. Compare antagonist.

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agonist

one who contends for a prize in public games. — agonistic, agonistical, adj.

See also: Athletics

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	agonist - the principal character in a work of fiction protagonist antihero - a protagonist who lacks the characteristics that would make him a hero (or her a heroine)
	2.	agonist - someone involved in a contest or battle (as in an agon) contestant - a person who participates in competitions adversary, antagonist, opposer, resister, opponent - someone who offers opposition
	3.	agonist - a muscle that contracts while another relaxes; "when bending the elbow the biceps are the agonist" antagonistic muscle - (physiology) a muscle that opposes the action of another; "the biceps and triceps are antagonistic muscles"
	4.	agonist - (biochemistry) a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction drug - a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic biochemistry - the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occurring in organisms; the effort to understand biology within the context of chemistry