gland
Meanings
noun
- A specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin in the human or animal body that synthesizes a chemical substance, such as hormones or breast milk, and releases it, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).
- A structure resembling a gland, especially a lymph node.
- A secretory structure on the surface of an organ.
- A stuffing box used to seal a rotating or reciprocating shaft against a fluid.
noun
- A compressable cylindrical case and its contents around a shaft where it passes through a barrier, intended to prevent the passage of a fluid past the barrier, used for example around a ship’s propeller shaft or around a tap, valve or faucet.
name
- A commune in Yonne department, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France.
- A commune in Aisne department, Hauts-de-France, France.
- A municipality in Nyon district, Vaud canton, Switzerland.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
Late 17th century borrowing from French glande, alteration of Old French glandre, from Latin glandulae (“throat glands, tonsils”), plural of glandula (“a little acorn”), from glāns (“an acorn”) + -ula (diminutive nominal suffix).
Synonyms
Related words
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Translations
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