aspirin

n. acetylsalicylic acid: a commonly used nonopioid analgesic, which also has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to prevent formation of blood clots. Aspirin alleviates pain mainly by peripheral mechanisms (see NSAID); in controlling fever, it acts on the body’s thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus. Adverse effects include gastric irritation or ulceration with bleeding and occasional allergic reactions. Overdosage affects the central nervous system and other body systems (see salicylism).

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

acuity grating

a stimulus used to measure an individual’s sharpness of visual perception. It consists of alternating black and white lines spaced closely together; the point at which the participant perceives the lines to be homogeneous gives an indication of visual acuity. When the contrast of the lines is varied, the acuity grating can be used to test contrast sensitivity.