pituitary

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain
  2. adjective of or relating to the pituitary gland

Etymology

1610s, from Latin pītuītārius (“mucous”), from pītuīta (“clammy moisture, phlegm, mucus, slime”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *peyH- (“to be fat, swell”). Taken as the name for the gland because it was believed that it channeled mucus to the nose. As a noun by 1899.

Synonyms

pituitary gland, pituitary body, hypophysis

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