anti-depressant

UK: ˌænti.dɪˈpres.ənt | US: ˌæn.taɪ.dɪˈpres.ənt

Definition

  1. n. a drug or treatment used to alleviate depression

  2. adj. having the effect of reducing depression

Structure
anti <against>depress <press down>ant <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "antidepressant" combines three morphemes:

  1. "Anti-" (from Greek anti, meaning "against") – indicating opposition.
  2. "Depress" (from Latin deprimere, "to press down") – reflecting the mood-lowering nature of depression.
  3. "-ant" (a noun-forming suffix from Latin -ans/-antis) – denoting an agent or substance.
    The term emerged in the mid-20th century with advancements in psychopharmacology, logically describing a substance that counteracts ("anti-") the "pressing down" ("depress") of mood.
Examples

  1. The doctor prescribed an antidepressant to help manage her symptoms.

  2. Some antidepressants may take weeks to show full effects.

  3. He experienced fewer side effects after switching to a different antidepressant.

  4. Research continues to improve the efficacy of antidepressants.

  5. Combining therapy with antidepressants often yields better outcomes.