hypophysis

noun

hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpä-fə-səs 

plural hypophyses hī-ˈpä-fə-ˌsēz 

: 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

Kids Definition

hypophysis

noun

hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpäf-ə-səs 

plural hypophyses -ə-ˌsēz 

: pituitary gland

Medical Definition

hypophysis

noun

hy·​poph·​y·​sis hī-ˈpäf-ə-səs 

plural hypophyses -ˌsēz 

: pituitary gland