agonist

IPA/ˈæɡənɪst/
KK[ˈæɡənɪst]IPA/ˈæɡənɪst/

agonist — 名詞

  • agonistsingular
  • agonistsplural

1. a muscle that shortens to pull a bone or joint into position, while the muscle w

1.名詞C1
釋義

主動肌

收縮以帶動身體部位的肌肉

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

例句

The biceps is the agonist that pulls the arm up when you lift your hand.

肱二頭肌是主動肌，在你抬手時將手臂向上拉動。

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.

Yael 在泳池游了幾趟之後，拉傷了肩膀的主要主動肌。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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

❌The agonist muscle relaxes while the antagonist contracts.
✅The agonist muscle contracts while the antagonist relaxes.
💡The agonist is the muscle that shortens and pulls; the antagonist is the one that lengthens and relaxes to allow the movement.

2. a chemical compound, either a manufactured drug or a natural substance inside th

2.名詞C1
釋義

促效劑

能與受體結合並引發反應的化學物質

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

例句

Morphine acts as an opioid agonist that binds to pain receptors in the spinal cord.

嗎啡是一種類鴉片促效劑，會與脊髓中的疼痛受體結合。

pattern: [drug] + acts as + [receptor type] + agonist + binds to

Omar's neurologist prescribed a dopamine agonist to help control his Parkinson's symptoms.

Omar 的神經科醫生開了一種多巴胺促效劑，幫助控制他的帕金森氏症症狀。

同義詞
  • activator

    broader term used outside pharmacology; any substance that initiates a process

  • stimulant

    a specific type of agonist that increases nervous system activity; not all agonists are stimulants

反義詞
  • 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

❌An agonist blocks a receptor and stops a reaction.
✅An agonist binds to a receptor and starts a reaction.
💡Agonists trigger responses; it is antagonists that block receptors and prevent responses.

3. the central character in a story, play, or novel, around whom the events of the

3.名詞B2
釋義

主角

故事或戲劇中的核心人物

the central character in a story, play, or novel, around whom the events of the plot are built

例句

Elizabeth Bennet is the witty agonist who drives the plot of Pride and Prejudice.

Elizabeth Bennet 是《傲慢與偏見》中機智的主角，推動著整部小說的劇情發展。

literary usage: agonist + who drives the plot of [work]

Sophia's first novel features a young agonist who travels across post-war Europe.

Sophia 的第一本小說以一名年輕的主角為主線，講述他橫跨戰後歐洲的旅程。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • antagonist

    a character who opposes or works against the protagonist

文法句型

the + agonist + of/in + [work of fiction]

[possessive] + agonist

常見錯誤

❌Every character in the story is an agonist.
✅The agonist is the main character around whom the story revolves.
💡Only the central character is the agonist; supporting characters play different roles.