Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Tending to lower the rate of vital physiological activities.
  • noun An agent, especially a drug, that decreases the rate of vital physiological activities.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In medicine, a sedative.
  • noun A therapeutic agent which is employed to reduce mental or physical strength.
  • Causing a lowering of the physical or mental forces.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Med.) An agent or remedy which lowers the vital powers.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pharmacology A pharmacological substance which decreases neuronal or physiological activity.
  • noun mining An agent that inhibits the flotation of a mineral or minerals.
  • adjective Acting as a depressant.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective capable of depressing physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent
  • noun a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person

Etymologies

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Examples

  • "I think the Obama announcement is a near-term depressant on auto sales and the economy," said one Ford official Tuesday.

    Rivals' Revamps Vex Ford 2009

  • The budget, with expected focus on rural economy, infrastructure, health and education is likely to benefit stocks of FMCG, power, infrastructure and capital goods sector, while the expected 2% excise hike can act as a near-term depressant for sectors like automobiles

    Analysis 2010

  • "I think the Obama announcement is a near-term depressant on auto sales and the economy," said one Ford official Tuesday.

    Division of Labour 2009

  • That is, don't take "depressant" drugs -- drugs that make you calm or sleepy, not depressed!!!

    Maia Szalavitz: What We Can Learn from Heath Ledger's Death: Don't Mix Downs!!! 2008

  • Freddy: For Ms R alcohol is a depressant which is one reason why she rarely drinks.

    A night out with the strippers Ms Robinson 2008

  • She did offer an anti-depressant which is contraindicated for anyone with a heart condition specifically arrhythmias.

    Patient from hell? Insecure and confused doctors? Or yes to both? Elizabeth McClung 2007

  • She did offer an anti-depressant which is contraindicated for anyone with a heart condition specifically arrhythmias.

    Archive 2007-04-01 Elizabeth McClung 2007

  • It also acts as a kind of depressant by interfering with the flow of information between nerve cells.

    unknown title 2009

  • It also acts as a kind of depressant by interfering with the flow of information between nerve cells.

    unknown title 2009

  • It also acts as a kind of depressant by interfering with the flow of information between nerve cells.

    unknown title 2009

Comments

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  • I shouldn't have smooshed that poor little bug.

    December 25, 2009

  • Try anti-depressants.

    December 25, 2009