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parasympathetic

[par-uh-sim-puh-thet-ik] /ˌpær əˌsɪm pəˈθɛt ɪk/
adjective, Anatomy, Physiology,
1.
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
1900-1905
1900-05; para-1 + sympathetic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
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British Dictionary definitions for parasympathetic

parasympathetic

/ˌpærəˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk/
adjective
1.
(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, etc Compare sympathetic (sense 4)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for parasympathetic
adj.

1905, from para- (1) "beside" + sympathetic.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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parasympathetic in Medicine

parasympathetic par·a·sym·pa·thet·ic (pār'ə-sĭm'pə-thět'ĭk)
adj.
Of, relating to, or affecting the parasympathetic nervous system.

par'a·sym'pa·thet'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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