gland

¹

[gland]

noun

1. Anatomy.

   1. a cell, group of cells, or organ producing a secretion.

   2. any of various organs or structures resembling the shape but not the function of true glands.

2. Botany.,  a secreting organ or structure.

gland

²

[gland]

noun

Machinery.

1. a sleeve within a stuffing box, fitted over a shaft or valve stem and tightened against compressible packing in such a way as to prevent leakage of fluid while allowing the shaft or stem to move; lantern ring.

2. stuffing box.

gland

¹

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. a cell or organ in man and other animals that synthesizes chemical substances and secretes them for the body to use or eliminate, either through a duct (exocrine gland) or directly into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) See also exocrine gland endocrine gland

2. a structure, such as a lymph node, that resembles a gland in form

3. a cell or organ in plants that synthesizes and secretes a particular substance

gland

²

/ ɡlænd /

noun

1. a device that prevents leakage of fluid along a rotating shaft or reciprocating rod passing through a boundary between areas of high and low pressure. It often consists of a flanged metal sleeve bedding into a stuffing box

gland

1. An organ or group of specialized cells in the body that produces and secretes a specific substance, such as a hormone.

2. See also endocrine gland exocrine gland

Other Word Forms

• glandless adjective
• glandlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gland¹

1685–95; < Latin gland- (stem of glāns acorn); compare Italian ghianda

Origin of gland²

First recorded in 1830–40; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of gland¹

C17: from Latin glāns acorn

Origin of gland²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

She underwent an operation which included the removal of her salivary glands, causing her to temporarily lose her sense of smell and taste.

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Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle.

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"Your scalp has 180,000 oil glands and it collects dirt and debris if it's not regularly washed."

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It comes from tiny glands - each person has between two and five million of them - then evaporates from our skin, lowering our temperature.

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Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, can play a role in both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.

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