pacemaker
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kərBased on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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pacemaker (ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person, horse, vehicle, etc, used in a race or speed trial to set the pace |
| 2. | a person, an organization, etc, regarded as being the leader in a particular field of activity |
| 3. | Also called: cardiac pacemaker a small area of specialized tissue within the wall of the right atrium of the heart whose spontaneous electrical activity initiates and controls the beat of the heart |
| 4. | Also called: artificial pacemaker an electronic device for use in certain cases of heart disease to assume the functions of the natural cardiac pacemaker |
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| of or pertaining to the throat or neck. |
| the first or innermost digit of the foot of humans and other primates or of the hind foot of other mammals; great toe; big toe. |
pacemaker
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pacemaker pace·mak·er (pās'mā'kər)
n.
A part of the body, such as the specialized mass of cardiac muscle fibers of the sinoatrial node, that sets the pace or rhythm of physiological activity.
Any of several usually miniaturized and surgically implanted electronic devices used to stimulate or regulate contractions of the heart muscle.
A substance whose rate or reaction sets the pace for a series of chain reactions.
The rate-limiting reaction itself.
pace'mak'ing adj. & n.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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pacemaker (pās'mā'kər) Pronunciation Key
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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pacemaker definition
A group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart that send out impulses to regulate the heartbeat. If the heart's built-in pacemaker does not function properly, an artificial pacemaker may be necessary — a small electrical device that also regulates the heartbeat by sending out impulses. An artificial pacemaker may be placed inside the body surgically or may be worn outside.
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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