depressant

[dih-pres-uh nt] /dɪˈprɛs ənt/
adjective
1.
Medicine/Medical. having the quality of depressing or lowering the vital activities; sedative.
2.
causing a lowering in spirits; dejecting.
3.
causing a drop in value; economically depressing.
noun
4.
Medicine/Medical. a sedative.
Compare stimulant (def 1).
5.
Chemistry. any agent capable of diminishing a specific property of a substance.
Origin
1875-80; depress + -ant
Examples from the web for depressant
  • Zoloft, although an anti-depressant, helps balance your brain chemistry.
  • We drink to celebrate, but because alcohol works as a depressant, it ends up deadening feelings.
British Dictionary definitions for depressant

depressant

/dɪˈprɛsənt/
adjective
1.
(med) able to diminish or reduce nervous or functional activity
2.
causing gloom or dejection; depressing
noun
3.
a depressant drug
Word Origin and History for depressant
n.

"sedative," 1876 as a noun, 1887 as an adjective; see depress + -ant.

depressant in Medicine

depressant de·pres·sant (dĭ-prěs'ənt)
adj.
Tending to lower the rate of vital physiological activities. n.
An agent, especially a drug, that decreases the rate of vital physiological activities.

Encyclopedia Article for depressant

in medicine, a drug or other agent that slows the activity of vital organs of the body. Depressants acting on the central nervous system include general anesthetics, opiates, alcohol, and hypnotics. Tranquilizing drugs (ataractics) act primarily on the lower levels of the brain, relieving tension without reducing mental sharpness.

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