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🧬 A gene booster ⚗️ A process starter
activator

activator

1 5.1
A thing that starts or speeds a process
  • noun
  • /ˈæktɪˌveɪtər/
translation icon : activador
  • Silver, terbium, and europium are typically used as activators in blue, green, and red phosphors, respectively.
  • alkali activator
  • alkaline activator
  • activator solution

For some reason, I'm like, she's bringing that curl activator.

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Examples

  • In the geopolymer reaction, precursor fly ash reacts with an alkaline activator and produces aluminosilicate gel.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Activator solution and water were added to the dry mixture and mixed by hand for 1 minute.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Samples may be tested with or without a metabolic activator provided with each kit.

    Academic text (1993)

  • Then the activators were blended with waste precursors, which were previously dry mixed together.

    Academic text (2018)

  • I'm going to put a bit of super glue in this bit here, spraying some super glue activator on it to make it go off quicker.

  • To fabricate GC mortar specimens, the WGP/CAC blend and standard quartz sand were first dry mixed for 2 minutes, and then the activator solution was added, followed by remixing for 3 more minutes to obtain a uniform fresh mortar.

    Academic text (2018)

  • The chemist added the activator to the solution to speed up the reaction process.

  • To initiate the polymerization, an activator was required to activate the monomers.

  • In cooking, baking powder acts as an activator that helps the dough rise by releasing gas.

Synonyms

initiator
vsactivator
10 5.5

A person who starts a plan or action

is a physical substance or device that starts or speeds reactions
actuator
vsactivator
  • Specialized
5 7.4

A device that makes a machine move or work when it gets a signal

can itself start or speed chemical or physical processes rather than only move parts
catalyzer
vsactivator
  • US
6.3

A person or thing that makes changes happen faster

also can start a process as well as accelerate it
elicitor
vsactivator
  • Specialized
8.8

Something that makes a plant start a defense reaction

starts or speeds processes beyond just biological responses
excitor
vsactivator
  • Specialized
9.8

A device that starts or increases electrical and biological activity

is broader, initiating or accelerating many kinds of processes
potentiator
vsactivator
  • Specialized
8.0

A chemical that makes a medicine or drug work better

directly starts or speeds a process rather than only boosting effects
actioner
vsactivator
  • Specialized
9.9

A device that makes parts move or starts a machine

applies more widely to starting or speeding processes beyond mechanical actions

Antonyms

inhibitor
  • Specialized
46 6.0

A substance that slows down and can stop chemical reactions in the body or in a lab

Compounds

plasminogen activator
  • Specialized
7.9

A substance made by the body that helps break down blood clots

tissue plasminogen activator
  • Specialized
4.5

A medicine that breaks up blood clots to treat heart attacks and strokes

How Stimulating

stimulant
5.1
excitor
  • Specialized
9.8
activator
1 5.1
signal
  • Specialized
991 3.8

Surface Forms

activator singular
activators plural

Morphology

activator = activate (transparent) = activate + or

Standard nominalization from a verb using '-or' yielding 'a thing or agent that activates', which matches the general device/substance sense.

Etymology

The word activator comes from the part act meaning 'do' or 'move', the same root you see in action and actor. An activator is something that 'makes active' or starts and speeds up a process, so it gets reactions or machines moving faster.