preen gland
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of preen gland
First recorded in 1920–25
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.
But juncos likely aren’t making their perfume alone: Lots of those preen gland chemicals are naturally made by bacteria.
From Science Magazine
The embryo's survival may be enhanced by the odorous, oily secretions of the mother's preen gland that grease the eggs' shells during laying and incubation.
From Nature
The uropygial or preen gland is found in the majority of birds and is situated near the base of the tail.
From US News
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
