/ak"teuh vay'teuhr/ , n.
1. a person or thing that activates.
2. Chem. , Biochem. a catalyst.
3. any impurity in a mineral that causes luminescence. Cf. inhibitor (def. 3).
4. Orthodontics. a removable appliance, usually of hard plastic, that is worn in the mouth instead of a fixed appliance to help align the teeth and improve the relationship of the lower jaw to the upper.
[ ACTIVATE + -OR 2 ]