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Antagonists

 [an-tag-uh-nist]   Origin

an·tag·o·nist

   [an-tag-uh-nist]
noun
1.
a person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
2.
the adversary of the hero or protagonist of a drama or other literary work: Iago is the antagonist of Othello.
3.
Physiology. a muscle that acts in opposition to another. Compare agonist (def. 3).
4.
Dentistry. a tooth in one jaw that articulates during mastication or occlusion with a tooth in the opposing jaw.
5.
Pharmacology. a drug that counteracts the effects of another drug.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Late Latin antagōnista < Greek antagōnistḗs. See antagonize, -ist

Can be confused: antagonist, proponent, protagonist.

Synonyms
1. contestant, enemy, foe. See adversary.

Antonyms
1. ally, friend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

antagonist
c.1600, from L. antagonista, from Gk. antagonistes "competitor, opponent, rival," from antagonizesthai "to struggle against," from anti- "against" + agonizesthai "to contend for a prize," from agon "contest" (see agony). Originally in battle or sport, extended 1620s to any
EXPAND
sphere of human activity. Related: Antagonistic (1630s).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

antagonist an·tag·o·nist (ān-tāg'ə-nĭst)
n.
Something, such as a muscle, disease, or physiological process, that neutralizes or impedes the action or effect of another.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
antagonist   (ān-tāg'ə-nĭst)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.

  2. A chemical substance, such as a drug, that interferes with the physiological action of another substance, especially by combining with and blocking its nerve receptor. Compare agonist.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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