An*tag"o*nist (#), n. [L. antagonista, Gr. ; against + combatant, champion, fr. : cf. F. antagoniste. See Antagonism.] 1. One who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; an opponent.
Antagonist of Heaven's Almigthy King.
Milton.
Our antagonists in these controversies.
Hooker.
2. Anat. A muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it.
3. Med. A medicine which opposes the action of another medicine or of a poison when absorbed into the blood or tissues.
Syn. -- Adversary; enemy; opponent; toe; competitor. See Adversary.
© Webster 1913.
An*tag"o*nist, a. Antagonistic; opposing; counteracting; as, antagonist schools of philosophy.
© Webster 1913. |