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Glite Dictionary
parasympathomimetic

parasympathomimetic

9.9
A drug that acts like the part of the nervous system that calms the body
  • adjective
  • /ˌpærəˌsɪmpəθoʊˈmɪmətɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parasimpaticomimético
  • Certain parasympathomimetic agents are used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure.

Examples

  • The physician prescribed a parasympathomimetic drug to help slow the patient's heart rate.

  • Researchers are studying new parasympathomimetic compounds for their potential in treating digestive disorders.

  • This is a parasympathomimetic drug.

  • The parasympathomimetic effect is beneficial.

  • Certain parasympathomimetic agents are used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure.

  • The physician prescribed a parasympathomimetic drug to help slow the patient's heart rate.

  • Researchers are studying new parasympathomimetic compounds for their potential in treating digestive disorders.

Antonyms

sympathomimetic
  • Specialized
9.9

A medicine or chemical that makes the body act as if it has adrenaline

How Parasympathetic

parasympathomimetic
  • Specialized
9.9
muscarinic
  • Specialized
1 9.5
cholinergic
  • Specialized
1 9.2
anticholinergic
  • Specialized
1 9.5

Surface Forms

parasympathomimetic positive

Morphology

parasympathomimetic = mimetic (opaque) = parasympatho + mimetic

The word is built from the technical combining form 'parasympatho-' plus 'mimetic', but the specialized medical meaning is not readily inferable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word parasympathomimetic breaks into para- 'beside', sympatho- like sympathy meaning 'feeling', and -mimetic like mimic meaning 'to copy'. So a parasympathomimetic drug copies the parasympathetic system, the part of the nervous system that slows the heart and helps digestion, which is why it produces calming effects.