An*tag"o*nist (#), n. [L. antagonista, Gr. ; against + combatant, champion, fr. : cf. F. antagoniste. See Antagonism.]
1.
One who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; an opponent.
Antagonist of Heaven's Almigthy King.
Milton.
Our antagonists in these controversies.
Hooker.
2. Anat.
A muscle which acts in opposition to another; as a flexor, which bends a part, is the antagonist of an extensor, which extends it.
3. Med.
A medicine which opposes the action of another medicine or of a poison when absorbed into the blood or tissues.
Syn. -- Adversary; enemy; opponent; toe; competitor. See Adversary.
© Webster 1913.
An*tag"o*nist, a.
Antagonistic; opposing; counteracting; as, antagonist schools of philosophy.
© Webster 1913.