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pheromone
noun
Examples of pheromone in a Sentence
Word History
Greek phérein "to carry" + -o- + -mone (in hormone) — more at bear entry 2
Note: Name introduced by the German biochemist Peter Karlson (1918-2001) and the Swiss entomologist Martin Lüscher (1917-79) in "'Pheromones': a New Term for a Class of Biologically Active Substances," Nature, vol. 183, no. 4653 (January 3, 1959), pp. 55-56: "We propose, therefore, the designation 'pheromone' for this group of active substances. The name is derived from the Greek pherein, to transfer; hormōn, to excite. Pheromones are defined as substances which are secreted to the outside by an individual and received by a second individual of the same species, in which they release a specific reaction, for example, a definite behaviour or a developmental process."
1959, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near pheromone
Cite this Entry
“Pheromone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pheromone. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
pheromone
nounMedical Definition
pheromone
nouncalled also ectohormone
More from Merriam-Webster on pheromone
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pheromone
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