nicotinic

adjective

nic·​o·​tin·​ic ˌni-kə-ˈtē-nik  -ˈti- 

: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects produced by nicotine on nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses

nicotinic receptors

compare muscarinic

Examples of nicotinic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since cytisine binds particularly well to a type of nicotinic receptor called α3β4, the researchers figured that receptor might be the major player in decreasing appetite. —Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011

The researchers first observed that mice given nicotine or the drug cytisine, which binds to some nicotinic receptors in the brain, ate less and had less body fat than mice not given either drug. —Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011

The addiction-fighting medication acts on proteins called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are the same neurological buttons that tobacco products push. —Aaron Rowe, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2007

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nicotinic

• nicotinic acid

Medical Definition

nicotinic

adjective

nic·​o·​tin·​ic ˌnik-ə-ˈtē-nik  -ˈtin-ik 

: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects that are produced by acetylcholine liberated by nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle and that are mimicked by nicotine which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses

nicotinic receptors

compare muscarinic