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)

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

Cite this Entry

“Hypophysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypophysis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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)

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)

More from Merriam-Webster on hypophysis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!