Definition of "cholinergic" [cholinergic]

• Activated by or capable of liberating acetylcholine, especially in the parasympathetic nervous system. (adjective)
• Having physiological effects similar to those of acetylcholine: a cholinergic agent or drug. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "And during the first few minutes you might have some symptoms which we call cholinergic symptoms, which are sweating, salivating, lacrimating, maybe some shortness of breath."
• "Too much, and they become paralyzed -- that's called a cholinergic crisis."
• "As a result, those nerve fibers which secrete acetylcholine are referred to as cholinergic nerves and those which secrete norepinephrine are adrenergic nerves."