antagonist

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Antonyms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin antagonista, from Ancient Greek ἀνταγωνιστής (“‘opponent’”), from ἀνταγωνίζεσθαι (“‘antagonize’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ænˈtægənɪst/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

antagonist (plural antagonists)

1. An opponent or enemy.
2. One who antagonizes or stirs.
3. (biochemistry) A chemical that binds to a receptor but does not produce a physiological response, blocking the action of agonist chemicals.
   • 2001: The calcium antagonists represent one of the top ten classes of prescription drugs in terms of commercial value, with worldwide sales of nearly $10 billion in 1999. — Leslie Iversen, Drugs: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2001, p. 41)
4. The main character opposing the protagonist in a literary work or drama.

[edit] Antonyms

• protagonist
• agonist (biochemistry)

[edit] Related terms

• antagonise, antagonize
• antagonism
• receptor antagonist

[edit] Translations