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

/ glănd /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈglandˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• glandless adjective
• glandlike 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

The prostate is a gland that is about the size of a walnut which sits just below the bladder within the pelvis.

From BBC

Located behind the stomach, the pancreas is a large gland that helps people digest food and regulate blood sugar.

From Los Angeles Times

Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the gland multiply, forming a tumor.

From Los Angeles Times

"They were hunted for predominantly their fur but also for the castoreum which is an internal gland that was used for medicinal purposes and, until very recently, in perfumes," said Robert Needham, restoration manager at Beaver Trust.

From BBC

This type of cancer usually grows very slowly, and surgery is a common treatment for patients who are in good health and whose tumor is only in the prostate gland, the institute says.

From Los Angeles Times