gland
1 of 2noun (1)
ˈgland 
1
a
: a specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body compare endocrine gland, exocrine gland
b
: any of various animal structures suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
2
: any of various secreting organs (such as a nectary) of plants
glandless
ˈgland-ləs
adjective gland
2 of 2noun (2)
1
: a device for preventing leakage of fluid past a joint in machinery
2
: the movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
French glande, from Old French, glandular swelling on the neck, gland, ultimately from Latin gland-, glans acorn; akin to Greek balanos acorn
Noun (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing gland
Kids Definition
gland
noun
ˈgland
: a cluster of cells or an organ in the body that produces a substance (as saliva, sweat, or bile) to be used by the body or given off from it
Medical Definition
gland
noun
ˈgland
1
: a cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin that selectively removes materials from the blood, concentrates or alters them, and secretes them for further use in the body or for elimination from the body
2
: any of various animal structures (as a lymph node) suggestive of glands though not secretory in function
- praetexta
- praetextae
- praetor
- praetorial
- praetorian
- praetorian cohort
- Praetorian Guard
- praetorian law
- praetorianism
- praetorians
- praetorium
- praetoriums
- praetors
- praetorship
- praetorships
- pragmatic
- pragmatic anthropology
- pragmatic maxim
- pragmatic sanction
- pragmatica
- observances
- observancies
- observancy
- observanda
- observandum