hypophysis

noun

hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpä-fə-səs How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
plural hypophyses hī-ˈpä-fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
: pituitary gland

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (short for hypophysis cerebrī, literally, "outgrowth of the brain"), borrowed from Greek hypóphysis "attachment underneath," from hypophýesthai "to grow up below or in place of" (from hypo- hypo- + phýesthai "to grow, spring up, be born," middle voice of phýein "to bring forth, produce") + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process — more at be

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypophysis was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near hypophysis

hypophysectomy

hypophysis

hypopituitarism

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hypophysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypophysis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hypophysis

noun
hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpäf-ə-səs How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
plural hypophyses -ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
: pituitary gland

Medical Definition

hypophysis

noun
hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpäf-ə-səs How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
plural hypophyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce hypophysis (audio)
: pituitary gland

More from Merriam-Webster on hypophysis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypophysis

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