depressor

noun

de·​pres·​sor di-ˈpre-sər How to pronounce depressor (audio)
dē-
: one that depresses: such as
a
: a muscle that draws down a part compare levator
b
: a device for pressing down or aside
c
: a nerve or nerve fiber that decreases the activity or the tone of the organ or the part it innervates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Leptin is produced by fat cells and is best known as a depressor of appetite. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022 It was tested by manipulating a tongue depressor around the uvula, soft palate, and pharyngeal vault. Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2010 Leptin is produced by fat cells and is best known as a depressor of appetite. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022 Leptin is produced by fat cells and is best known as a depressor of appetite. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022 Leptin is produced by fat cells and is best known as a depressor of appetite. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2022 The TytoCare medical device comes with a thermometer, stethoscope and tongue depressor among other things. Ramsey Qubein, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022 Leptin is produced by fat cells and is best known as a depressor of appetite. Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022 As Asma helped arrange paper flowers in a basket on the dining room table, Aqsa — who wore a plastic stethoscope around her neck — used a tongue depressor to check inside Gulsom’s mouth. Irfan Khan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depressor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin deprimere

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressor was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near depressor

Cite this Entry

“Depressor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressor. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

depressor

noun
de·​pres·​sor di-ˈpres-ər How to pronounce depressor (audio)
: one that depresses
especially : a device for pressing a part (as the tongue) down or aside

Medical Definition

depressor

noun
de·​pres·​sor di-ˈpres-ər How to pronounce depressor (audio)
: one that depresses: as
a
: a muscle that draws down a part compare levator
b
: a device for pressing a part down or aside see tongue depressor
c
: a nerve or nerve fiber that decreases the activity or the tone of the organ or part it innervates
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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