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anticholinergic

[ an-ti-koh-luh-nur-jik, -kol-uh- ]

adjective

  1. of or relating to a substance that opposes the effects of acetylcholine; interfering with the passage of parasympathetic nerve impulses. Compare cholinolytic.


noun

  1. an anticholinergic substance, as a drug.

anticholinergic

/ ˌæntɪˌkɒlɪˈnɜːdʒɪk /

adjective

  1. physiol blocking nerve impulses through the parasympathetic nerves
“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


noun

  1. med a drug or agent that blocks these nerve impulses, used to control intestinal spasm, increase the heart rate, dilate the pupils for examination of the eyes, dry secretions in anaesthesia, and in some forms to treat Alzheimer's disease
“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 History and Origins

Origin of anticholinergic1

1940–45; anti- + cholinergic, equivalent to choline + -ergic
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Compare Meanings

How does anticholinergic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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antichoiceanticholinesterase