decongestant
|de-con-gest-ant|
🇺🇸
/ˌdiːkənˈdʒɛstənt/
🇬🇧
/ˌdiːkənˈdʒest(ə)nt/
remove or relieve blockage
Etymology
'decongestant' is formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'remove' or 'reverse' in Latin) + 'congestant' (a form built from 'congest'), so it literally means 'something that removes congestion'.
'congest' comes from Latin 'congerere' ('con-' together + 'gerere' to carry) via past participle 'congestus'; 'congestant' developed as an English agent-form (‑ant) meaning 'causing or relating to congestion'; 'decongestant' was formed by prefixing Latin 'de-' to indicate removal or reversal.
Originally related to the idea of 'bringing together' or 'piling up' (from Latin), the term evolved to refer to blockage or swelling; 'decongestant' now means 'an agent that removes or reduces such blockage', especially in medical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a medicine or agent that relieves congestion (especially nasal congestion) by reducing swelling or mucus, easing breathing.
He took an over-the-counter decongestant to relieve his blocked nose.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
having the effect of reducing congestion; used to describe something (often a drug) that clears blocked passages.
The decongestant effect of the spray made breathing easier within minutes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/18 10:33