agonist
|ag-o-nist|
/ˈæɡənɪst/
active participant
Etymology
'agonist' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'agōnistēs,' where 'agōn' meant 'contest' or 'struggle.'
'agōnistēs' transformed into the Latin word 'agonista,' and eventually became the modern English word 'agonist.'
Initially, it meant 'contestant in a struggle,' but over time it evolved to include meanings in physiology and pharmacology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is actively engaged in a struggle or competition; a contestant.
In the play, the protagonist is the main agonist, fighting against the antagonist.
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Noun 2
a muscle that contracts while another relaxes; a muscle that is the primary mover in a joint action.
During a bicep curl, the bicep is the agonist muscle.
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Noun 3
a chemical substance that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response.
Morphine is an agonist that binds to opioid receptors to relieve pain.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45