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lactiferous

American  
[lak-tif-er-uhs] / lækˈtɪf ər əs /

adjective

  1. producing or secreting milk.

    lactiferous glands.

  2. conveying milk or a milky fluid.

    lactiferous ducts.


lactiferous British  
/ lækˈtɪfərəs /

adjective

  1. producing, conveying, or secreting milk or a milky fluid

    lactiferous ducts

  2. botany containing latex; laticiferous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of lactiferous

1665–75; < New Latin lactifer that bears milk ( see lacti-, -fer) + -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time of birth, the baby has lactiferous ducts but no alveoli.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Suckling stimulates the contraction of myoepithelial cells that squeeze milk into lactiferous ducts.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Once milk is made in the alveoli, stimulated myoepithelial cells that surround the alveoli contract to push the milk to the lactiferous sinuses.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Milk drains from lactiferous ducts into lactiferous sinuses that meet at 4 to 18 perforations in the nipple, called nipple pores.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Microscopically, chicory shows numerous thin-walled parenchymatous cells, lactiferous vessels, and sieve tubes with transverse plates.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)

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