parasympathetic
[par-uh-sim-puh-thet-ik]
- pertaining to that part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves and ganglia that arise from the cranial and sacral regions and function in opposition to the sympathetic system, as in inhibiting heartbeat or contracting the pupil of the eye.
Origin of parasympathetic
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Examples from the Web for parasympathetic
Contemporary Examples
It activates your parasympathetic nervous system and tells your body to relax and recuperate.
parasympathetic
- anatomy physiol of or relating to the division of the autonomic nervous system that acts in opposition to the sympathetic system by slowing the heartbeat, constricting the bronchi of the lungs, stimulating the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, etcCompare sympathetic (def. 4)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for parasympathetic
adj.
1905, from para- (1) "beside" + sympathetic.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
parasympathetic
(păr′ə-sĭm′pə-thĕt′ĭk)
- Of, relating to, or affecting the parasympathetic nervous system.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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