agonist
agonist — noun
- agonistsingular
- agonistsplural
1. a muscle that shortens to pull a bone or joint into position, while the muscle w
a muscle that shortens to pull a bone or joint into position, while the muscle working against it lengthens and relaxes to allow that movement
The biceps is the agonist that pulls the arm up when you lift your hand.
anatomical example: the biceps as an agonist working with the triceps antagonist
Yael strained her shoulder's main agonist muscle while swimming laps at the pool.
When Quan bends his knee, the front thigh muscle acts as the contracting agonist.
Physical therapists teach patients which agonist muscle controls each joint movement.
In a bicep curl, one muscle acts as the agonist while the opposite one relaxes.
- prime mover
refers specifically to the main agonist when multiple muscles work together on a movement
- contractor
less technical term for any muscle that shortens during movement
- antagonist
the opposing muscle that stretches and relaxes while the agonist contracts
文法句型
agonist + verb (acts, contracts)
the + agonist + of + body part
用法筆記
Often paired with 'antagonist' to describe opposing muscle groups. The agonist–antagonist relationship is a standard concept in anatomy and physical therapy.
常見錯誤
2. a chemical compound, either a manufactured drug or a natural substance inside th
a chemical compound, either a manufactured drug or a natural substance inside the body, that fits into a docking site on a cell's outer membrane and sparks a biological change — for instance, a painkiller attaching to nerve cells to calm discomfort signals
Morphine acts as an opioid agonist that binds to pain receptors in the spinal cord.
pattern: [drug] + acts as + [receptor type] + agonist + binds to
Omar's neurologist prescribed a dopamine agonist to help control his Parkinson's symptoms.
Caffeine is an agonist that binds to adenosine receptors and makes you feel more awake.
The research team tested a new agonist that targets serotonin receptors in brain cells.
Shirin learned in her pharmacology class how an agonist activates a cell receptor.
- antagonist
a substance that binds to a receptor but does not activate it, instead blocking other molecules from binding
- blocker
informal term for a receptor antagonist
文法句型
[substance] + acts as + an agonist + on + [receptor]
[substance type] + agonist
用法筆記
Commonly modified by the receptor type or the substance class, as in 'dopamine agonist', 'opioid agonist', or 'beta-agonist'. Distinguished from an 'antagonist', which binds a receptor without triggering a response.
常見錯誤
3. the central character in a story, play, or novel, around whom the events of the
the central character in a story, play, or novel, around whom the events of the plot are built
Elizabeth Bennet is the witty agonist who drives the plot of Pride and Prejudice.
literary usage: agonist + who drives the plot of [work]
Sophia's first novel features a young agonist who travels across post-war Europe.
The play's agonist struggles with a secret that could ruin the family's reputation.
Karim wrote about how the agonist turns from a selfish man to a hero.
In many classic stories, the agonist must overcome a serious flaw to find happiness.
- protagonist
much more common term for the main character; 'agonist' is a rare synonym in modern English
- main character
everyday language, less formal than 'protagonist'
- hero
implies a morally good central figure; not all protagonists are heroes
- antagonist
a character who opposes or works against the protagonist
文法句型
the + agonist + of/in + [work of fiction]
[possessive] + agonist