depressor

/dɪˈprɛsər/
noun
  1. A muscle that pulls a body part downward.
    • The depressor muscle in the jaw helps open the mouth.
    • Injuries to the depressor muscles can affect facial expressions.
    • The doctor explained how the depressor muscles work when you frown.
  2. A medical instrument used to press down on a body part, such as the tongue, during an examination.
    • A depressor is a common tool in any medical kit.
    • She gagged slightly when the depressor touched the back of her tongue.
    • The doctor used a tongue depressor to look at the patient's throat.
  3. Something that lowers or reduces something else, such as a substance that slows down bodily functions.
    • Some medications act as a depressor on heart rate.
    • The drug is a depressor that slows breathing and relaxation.
    • Alcohol is a central nervous system depressor.
What does "depressor" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean