pheromone

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noun pher·o·mone \ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn\

biology : a chemical substance that an animal or insect produces in order to attract other animals or insects and especially a mate

Full Definition of PHEROMONE

:  a chemical substance that is usually produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses

— pher·o·mon·al \ˌfer-ə-ˈmō-n^əl\ adjective

One goose, two geese. One moose,
two... moose. What's up with that? »

Origin of PHEROMONE

International Scientific Vocabulary phero- (from Greek pherein to carry) + -mone (as in hormone) — more at bear

First Known Use: 1959

pheromone

noun pher·o·mone \ˈfer-ə-ˌmōn\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PHEROMONE

:  a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves especially as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses—called also ectohormone